PM asks Pakistan to control terror modules in its territory

Mumbai, July 14: Indirectly blaming Islamabad for Tuesday's serial blasts in Mumbai, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that it would be ''exceedingly difficult'' to make progress in the peace process with Pakistan if the neighbouring country did not control terror modules operating from its territory.

Addressing a press conference after a brief visit to the city, which was rocked by serial train blasts, Dr Singh said India had credible information that terror modules exist in Mumbai and in many other parts of the country and is certain that these terror modules are instigated, inspired and supported by elements across the border without which they cannot act with such devastating effect.

He said he had conveyed to the Pakistan government at the highest level that if the acts of terrorism are not controlled, it would be exceedingly difficult to carry forward normalisation of peace process.

Asked if the ongoing confidence-building measures with Pakistan would be affected due to Tuesday's blasts in Mumbai, Dr Singh said, ''Pakistan, in 2004, had assured that their territory will not be used to aid and abet terrorist elements against India. Pakistan has to fulfill that assurance for the peace process to progress,'' he said.

He noted that terrorists wanted to destroy India's economic strength, unity and provoke communal incidents. ''We cannot allow this to happen. It is time to crack down and destroy all these anti-national elements,'' he added.

Dr Singh, who arrived here this afternoon, reviewed the progress of investigations into the attacks and took stock of security measures taken by the state government following the explosions. He visited Sion and KEM hospitals and spent about 20 minutes there, meeting the injured and inquiring about their condition and their treatment.

The Prime Minister interacted with top Maharashtra officials at the airport. The meeting was also attended by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Dr Singh said destinies of all countries in South Asia was interlinked. ''We have worked hard to normalise relations with Pakistan. But unless terror modules are controlled, it would be exceedingly difficult for the peace process to progress,'' he added.

He assured that his government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that terrorist elements in India are neutralised and smashed. ''This requires sustained action and pressure by the Centre and state governments,'' he added To a question on whether the Mumbai blasts were result of intelligence failure, Dr Singh said, ''Adequate warning was given and something serious was possible. But terrorists have an advantage of surprise.'' He stressed and added that the need of the hour was to upgrade intelligence and technological capabilities, using electronic surveillance systems, and strengthening communication systems and access control at vital installations and high-profile targets.

''We had macro-level information. But at the micro-level, we did not have specific intelligence inputs,'' he added.

''There is an urgent need to upgrade our intelligence capabilities and the terrorists responsible for the blasts would be brought to book,'' Dr Singh said.

Lauding intelligence agencies and the Mumbai Police for their good work, he asked the local police to improve ground-level intelligence and ''keep their ears to the ground''.

He said there should be a rapid response plan to ensure effective management of the situation and restoration of normalcy in case of such events, he said while adding that the role of ordinary people should be strengthened by forming ''auxiliary people's groups'' to work in emergencies.

To a question on whether India would work to get Pakistan declared as terrorist state, Dr Singh said the government has used ''all possible opportunities in the world fora to tell the civilised world that for the last several years, India has been subjected to brutal acts of terrorism''.

He said today there was more awareness than ever before that terrorism was a global phenomenon and all civilised countries have to fight this evil.

Observing that India's strength lay in its unity, he said utmost emphasis had to be given on communal harmony and preventing attempts to disrupt and destroy the country's unity. ''Our strength lies in our unity ... and we will fight together as one people,'' the Prime Minister said.

Praising the people of Mumbai for showing resolve and not cowing down to terrorism, he said, ''You have demonstrated your determination in fighting this war by showing utmost discipline and profound sense of courage in rapidly restoring normalcy in the city.'' ''The whole nation admires the spirit of Mumbai,'' the Prime Minister said.

''Just as things can never be the same for those who have lost their near and dear ones, it cannot be dismissed as usual for us,'' he said.

He said, ''We have to ponder over and work out an effective strategy so that such things do not recur.'' ''We must recognise that the terrorists are trying to spread their tentacles across the country.''

UNI