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Delhi serial blasts : Trail leads to Pakistan

	November 07, 2005

Although Police are yet to make a breakthrough in identifying the terrorist organisations responsible for last month’s serial bomb blasts in New Delhi, the assessment is that influential sections of the Pakistani establishment are behind the attack. The Union Cabinet at its meeting on October 30 held Pakistan based and supported groups responsible for the worst ever terrorist attacks in the national capital. Sources say that the Cabinet felt that those responsible across the border were trying to send two distinct messages; one, that despite the earthquake, they retain the capability to strike at will in India; two, they were trying to convey to the world that since they were still grappling with the enormity of their own tragedy, the outrage on 29/10 was the work of indigenous groups.



The cabinet was informed about the widely expected hand of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoots in the serial explosions.



Sources say that security agencies are also looking at the possibility of the Dawood Ibrahim gang aiding terrorist activities in India. So far, there is no confirmation of the role of this gang in helping the Lashkar-e-Taiba or the new outfit Inquilab in executing the blasts. But investigations into the past blasts in the capital have revealed the hand of D company, as Dawood’s gang is known. After the March 1993 serial bomb blasts of Mumbai, the authorities have stopped treating it as a mere act of the gang of the underworld.



“We now look at Dawood’s empire as a terrorist organization with links to Jehadi outfits in Pakistan and other Islamic countries. The US administration itself, after considerable research, has designated Dawood as a global terrorist.”







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India among worst victims of terror



Over 50,000 people have died in terrorist incidents in India since 1994. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, this makes India among the worst victims of terrorism around the globe.



At present, Iraq scores higher on the daily violence scale. But then, Iraq may be considered to be in a different category. It is a country at war.



Unlike recent victims of terror like the US and UK, countries such as Israel and Sri Lanka have a long history of fighting such violence. So has India, which has borne the brunt of the scourge since the late 80s.



Security analyst Uday Bhaskar points out, “India has one of the highest numbers of terrorism related incidents, both quantitatively as well as on the temporal spectrum.”



The weapon haul further illustrates the enormity of India’s problem. “We have recovered 30,000 Kalashnikovs and 60,000 hand grenades and tonnes of RDX in Kashmir alone”, says G.C. Saxena, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.



Former intelligence brass B. Raman is of the view that the serial blasts in New Delhi, could be the outcome of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent successful visit to the US.



“One has to take into account that the Al Qaeda and other terrorist outfits like the International Terrorist Front might now target India because of its open alignment, as seen by them,with the US on matters affecting the vital interests of Islamic Ummah,” says the analyst.



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Delhi Police and Intelligence agencies have identified certain mobile and satellite phone numbers which show that conspirators from across the border and their operatives in Delhi were in constant touch before and after the serial bomb blasts. Sources say that those who provided them logistical support have also been identified.



The modus operandi of the blasts was apparently lifted from the Al Qaeda’s terrorist training manual. The blasts were carried out in crowded market places within 15 minutes to confuse the police and also make rescue work that much difficult. The blasts were timed to allow the subversives enough time to escape. Packed market places helped the agents of destruction to melt into the crowd and disappear.





Lashkar terrorist held for Delhi blasts



The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army have apprehended an area commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Abdullah Bandey, suspected to be involved in the serial blasts in Delhi. He was trapped on Thursday, Nov.3, in Bharat area of Doda district, about 20 km. from Doda town.



According to a senior intelligence officer, his interrogation is going on. “We are expecting some important information about the Delhi blasts,” disclosed the officer.



Bandey had gone underground after July 17 when three terrorists belonging to Mendhar town of Poonch district were arrested by the police from a hotel in Doda.



Delhi police have also launched an intensive combing operation to track down Pakistani nationals illegally residing in and around the city. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Cabinet meeting on October 30 that Delhi police have been asked to keep tabs on Pakistanis.





Musharraf asked to take action against terrorism



Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has spoken to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf about the external linkages of the terrorists involved in the serial bomb blasts in Delhi. He said, “India expects Pakistan to act against terrorism directed against India.”



Musharraf had telephoned him to convey his grief for those who lost their lives in the serial bomb blasts. During the 10-minute conversation, Singh told Musharraf that the country was outraged at these heinous acts of terrorism.



“We continue to be disturbed and dismayed at indications of the external linkages of terrorist groups with the October 29 bombings”, Singh told Musharraf.



The Prime Minister emphasised that “violence against civilians can never be justified” and that terrorism would never weaken India’s resolve or its commitment on the country’s unity and territorial integrity.



The Prime Minister again drew Musharraf’s attention to Pakistan’s commitment to ending cross-border terrorism. While condemning the bombings, Musharraf said, “Pakistan stands with India on this act of terrorism which has been perpetrated in New Delhi.”