By IANS,
New Delhi : Saying that the role of Pakistan-based outfits’ involvement in the spate of terror bombings in Indian cities “can not be minimized”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh contended that terror groups from across the border were attempting to set up new “modules” in this country.
“The role of Pakistan-based terrorist groups can not be minimized but the involvement of local elements in recent blasts adds a new dimension to the terrorist threat,” he said while addressing the Governor’s Conference here.
“We have reports that certain Pakistan-based terrorist outfits are constantly seeking to set up new terrorist modules within our country. This is a matter of utmost concern,” the prime minister added.
Noting that India had increased vigilance on the borders and that coastal security was being tightened, he said: “But in view of the growing involvement of local elements, this is not enough.
“Our security and intelligence agencies have, no doubt, been successful in thwarting and pre-empting several terrorist attacks, but as the recent blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat and Delhi indicate, there are still vast gaps in intelligence.
“These need to be overcome,” the prime minister contended.
Noting that there were “many commonalities” among the blasts in the Indian cities – the nature of the explosives used, the triggering mechanisms employed and the placement of explosives, Mamnohan Singh said: “This suggests that the modules responsible are closely linked to one other.”
Twenty-four people were killed and nearly 100 injured in five serial terror bombings in the national capital last Saturday. The blasts followed similar bombings in Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad in which scores of people were killed and hundreds injured.