What happened in Norway last Friday was a despicable act of violence and terrorism. The fact that it was directed against fellow countrymen who simply have different ideals adds to the horror.

Norway is considered to be a haven of peace and tranquility. The lifestyle is top-notch, and regular reports show that the Scandinavian country is one of the best places to live in. Before last Friday, there was never any reason for stiff security measures.

But that has changed after the vicious, cruel, one-man attack against the government and the party in government which has left nearly 100 people dead.

It was a planned attack that started off with a bomb explosion in the heart of the capital city Oslo, and while police and medical staff were seeing to the victims there, the perpetrator moved a few miles west to an island where young people were gathered to attend a political event on an island – where he went on a shooting spree.

The fact that Utoya Island is small and separated from the mainland by 500 metres gave the killer the best of opportunities to carry out his planned massacre. It was hard for the hundreds of youths present there to escape from the shooter, and those who tried to swim away were shot at.

The intention was clear – it was an attack against the present government (Norwegian authorities did the right thing in keeping Prime Minister Jon Stoltenberg away from the public eye for several hours until it was safe enough for him to appear on TV) and one against the future generation of the political party that he leads.

The first reports had indicated an attack from outsiders; after all, Norway is deeply involved in the war in Afghanistan and forms part of Nato’s onslaught in Libya. But it was later revealed that the attack was committed by a man of Norwegian ethnicity, one who was described as a Christian fundamentalist with links to Far-Right movements.

This news was even more shocking to the Norwegian people, who need time to come to terms with the new scenario their country woke up to after the attack. It was the worst violence Norway experienced since World War II.

The police have arrested the suspect, and they are investigating any possible links to groups who might have plans to stage more attacks on Norway.

That the country is still on high alert is inevitable. What is also sure is that Norway will never be the same again.