'Bomb ka badla bomb' mantra led to Samjhauta blast

Panchkula, Jun 20: Continued attacks on temples across the country led Swami Aseemanand to propound "Bomb ka Badla (revenge) bomb" theory which led to the bombing of Samjhauta Express train, the oldest rail-link between India and Pakistan.

The probe into the conspiracy of the explosion, which claimed 68 lives in 2007, brought out a deadly plot that was inspired by "quite upset" attitude of Aseemanand with the terror strikes on temples like Akshardham in Gujarat, Raghunath Mandir in Jammu and Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi.

This, according to the NIA charge sheet, built up as a "deep vengeance" feeling against the minority community in the hearts and minds of Swami Aseemanand and four others named in the charge sheet of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at a special court in Haryana's Panchkula today.

"He (Aseemanand) used to ''give vent to'' his feelings while discussing with Sunil Joshi and his associates. Over a period of time, they developed a deep vengeance against not only the Jehadi terrorists but unfortunately against an entire minority community as such.

"As a result, Aseemanand propounded a ''bomb ka badla bomb'' (bomb for bomb) theory. Samjhauta train was particularly chosen, as most of the passengers who travel in it are Pakistani citizens.

"Aseemanand not only provided financial and logistical support to the terror group which executed this dastardly act but also played a vital role in instigating and motivating his associates to undertake this terrorist act," the NIA charge sheet said.

PTI