New Delhi: The elite Marine Commandos
(MARCOS) of the Indian Navy who were initially scrambled to
tackle the terrorists during the 26/11 attack were "a little
out of depth" operating in a hotel, says the then chief of NSG
J K Dutt.
"The MARCOS is a force which is meant for conducting
special operations on water... I think they fell a little out
of depth operating in a premise like a hotel...," Dutt, who
retired from the elite force in February, said.
...but at that time had the MARCOS been able to follow
them (the holed up terrorists )and keep them pinned down...it
would have been useful… and since NSG is suitably equipped
the operation would have been over much faster," Dutt told
a news channel.
The MARCOS were initially sent to multiple locations
during the 26/11 attacks to flush out terrorists before the
NSG arrived on the morning of November 27.
Dutt also said that the NSG commandos tried to
negotiate with the Lashker-e-Toiba terrorists during their
operation.
"We did try to negotiate (with terrorists) but there
comes a point in every operation when you know that this is
going to be the final assault and in the next few minutes it
is going to be over...," he said.
...the response (from the terrorists) was always
abuses and more abuses...followed with shooting and...after
that the commandos knew what they had to do...," he said.
The terror attacks left 166 dead and 304 injured.
PTI
