New Delhi: A week after the militants wreaked carnage in Mumbai, Supercop KPS Gill termed the commando operation as one of "weak strategy and poor implementation" and said the fighter-in-him was still ready for any combat.

"It is shameful that it took more than 60 hours to neutralise a handful of mercenaries. I still have enough drive left in me to counter terrorism," the former Punjab DGP said.

I am ready to take up any responsibility in the war against terrorism, without a second thought."

The iron hand that suppressed militancy in Punjab in 1980s, observed that a weak strategy and its poor implementation prolonged the mayhem, resulting in loss of
lives. However, he was quick to add that the presence of guests and staff in the hotels might have made the job of security forces tougher.

Gill said intelligence and security lapses led to the gruesome incident. "If intelligence agencies had inputs on a possible terror strike, why preventive measures were not
taken. If the Home Ministry was warned, effective and concrete measures could be taken to avert the strike."

"When the country is facing a serious threat from terror outfits, such an approach is unpardonable," he said.

The former DGP demanded that the police force be equipped with the latest combat arsenal. "It is necessary to counter terrorists with modern weaponry. We need to be a step ahead of the terrorists. Personnel should be trained in for special operations," he said.

On politicians indulging in blamegame over the menace, he said a strong will was required to rein in terror.

Source : DNA