Probe panel defends response to 26/11

Following an outcry over the handling of the situation,the state government had constituted the panel to check for lapses,fix responsibility and recommend steps to be taken. Retired IPS officer V Balachandran was the panel’s other member.

The panel not only exonerated government agencies but also praised them. “I have praised young police officials for the speed and courage with which they handled the situation. We have made a recommendation for establishing various institutions with commando and QRT-type training,” Pradhan said,adding the government has already taken steps in that direction.

The two panel members were mum on the controversy following statements made by A R Antulay in Parliament on the death of Hemant Karkare. They refused to reveal if they had found any policeman guilty of lapses.

Chavan said the report would be placed before the cabinet,which will decide on action to be taken. “I have not yet read it and cannot comment on it. Action will be taken against officials if they are found to have erred.”

“We have used all the evidence required. We did not include non-officials in the inquiry as it could have gone on forever. The idea was to make recommendations to prepare the government should such a situation arise again,” said Pradhan. “We were an administrative inquiry and interviewed only government officials.”

The panel interviewed 50 police officers,looked through over 5,000 log entries,and inspected the sites of the attacks.