Mumbai blasts by outside terror outfits with local help

New Delhi, Jul 25: Terming the July 11 serial blasts in Mumbai as ''one of the most tragic terrorist incidents in recent years'', the government today said it suspected that these were orchestrated by terror outfits from aross the border with the help of local elements.

''Given the past experience and the magnitude, scale, intensity and modus operandi of the Mumbai blasts, we suspect that terrorist outfits from across the border have caused these blasts with the help of local elements,'' said a suo motu statement of Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

The statement was read out by Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal in the Rajya Sabha.

In the five-page statement, Mr Patil reiterated the government's resolve to combat terrorism in all forms and at all levels and asserted that the machinations of anit-national elements to disturb communal peace would be effectively checkmated.

Giving details of the blasts, he said that as per latest reports from the state government, 184 people had died and 844 others sustained injuries.

Of the 184 dead, 183 bodies have been handed over to their relatives and onlt one body is yet to be claimed. Of the 844 injured, 496 were discharged while 348 are still in hospitals.

He said seven serial bomb blasts occurred during peak hours from 1820 hrs to 1828 hrs on the western line of Mumbai's local rail network.

The first blast took place at 1820 hrs between Khar-Santacruz railway station and the seventh and last blast was recorded at 1828 hrs at Borivili station.

He said the government had made an assessment of the situation following these blasts and stressed the need for the security apparatus to focus greater attention and improve intelligence gathering capabilities, particulalrly at the local level to collect ''actionable'' intelligence on the plans and designs of the terrorist elements so that they were neutralised before they could strike.

''There is also a neeed to further enhance physical security and access control system at airports, metros, vital installations and places of public importance and worship,'' he said.

The minister also called upon the state governments to improve policing and post-event management mechanisms in major cities with the latest equipment and gadgets. ''The Central government will provide all possible financial and technical assistance to the states in this regard,'' he assured.

He further said that the state governments had been asked to improve coordination between the RPF and the GRP to enhance vigilance and security of trains and railway stations and prevent crimes on trains.

Mr Patil informed that the Railway Ministry had initiated steps to augment the RPF and provide better access control systems, surveillance through CCTVs and more bomb detection and disposal units at main railway stations.

He also talked at lenghth about relief and rescue measures taken by the state government and the Railways and the united resolve by political parties to fight the scourge of terrorism.

The minister said immediately after the blasts, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and he himself, along with senior officers of the Home Ministry, visited the blast site at Matunga station and met the injured in hospitals.

At the request of the state government, 14 companies of central paramilitary forces, including five companies of RAF, were placed at their disposal for maintenance of public order and harmony in Mumbai and adjoining areas.

''We will not allow these anti-national forces to disturb peace and communal harmony, and check our nation's march to economic growth and prosperity,'' he said.

Paying eloquent tributes to the people of Mumbai for their resolve to triumph over terrorism, the minister said, ''They showed a high degree of resilience, firtitude and responsible behaviour and remained united in the this moment of crisis, and extended full coperation and help to the victims of the ghastly tragedy.'' ''We strongly condemn these senseless and inhuman acts of terror on the innocent people of our country. We also convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to all those who have lost their beloved ones.'' Eds: here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI

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