Attacks point to planned, high explosive, timer device: Experts

Mumbai, July 12 (UNI) Security experts today said yesterday's serial blasts in local trains here were a ''meticulously planned'' terrorist operation, adding that the spate of explosions in the metropolis in recent years indicated the involvement of some neighbouring countries in attacks.

Security expert Brigadier Tyagrajan (retd) said the main reason for regular subversive acts in the country was external funding of terrorist groups.

External aid from neigbouring countries in the form of money, weapons and training were keeping the terrorist groups alive and active.

These cells in the country, on a short notice, can mastermind sabotage and strike activites by penetrating the local population in a friendly and fundamental manner thereby using people of their faith and identity to help them carry out their nefarious designs.

He said the intelligence bureau and the investigating agencies would have to invest a substantial amount of time, money and create networks.

He also said there is a need for hightened vigil and there should be special squads in place like there are in New York and London.

''This, even if does not eliminate terror strikes, would definitely neutralise the strike capacity of the terrorists,'' Brig Tyagrajan added.

He said after the 1993 serial blasts, the security agencies had stepped up vigil, however, as time passed it laxed. ''If we need to eliminate these type of strikes, then consistent policing is a must,'' he suggested.

Former Police Commissioner S S Puri said the whole issue of serial strikes by terrorists is a complex one and the need of the hour is to set up academies that would train anti-terror cells.

The ex-cop also lamented that these terror attacks, which are happening with alacrity, are usually dismissed as 'incidents' and as a result investigating agencies along with the common man lose track of them in the long run.

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