Available evidence points to a direct involvement of the Jaish-e- Mohammad terrorist group in the Red Fort blast while there was suspected involvement of a Kashmir-based terror outfit too. Planning was suspected to be done by these outfits and Pakistani agents at meetings in Turkey and elsewhere. They were in the works for a long time and aimed at staging lethal blasts in key locations across India. A Hyderabad-based doctor arrested with lethal material in Gujarat was aiming at mass killings through unconventional chemical or biological means. All these go to show that terrorist sleeper cells are active in India despite the high vigil by the Modi-led central government. This presents a deeply worrisome scenario.
The lull in terrorist activity in this country in recent years was deceptive. By the very nature of Islamic terrorism, it can surface anywhere and at any time. A large set of indoctrinated youths are willing to go any length to target their collective enemy. More so in a nation like India, where Muslims form a large number. What the government can do is to remain on a constant vigil. In all fairness, the Modi establishment, through its three consecutive terms in power, accorded top priority to tackling this danger. There can be no let-up in this vigil as long as the Pakistani political and military establishments, more so the latter, are bent on playing one mischief after another. Kashmir is just an excuse for them to keep bleeding India. Curiously, several victims of this terrorist mayhem are Indian Muslims as was also evident in the Red Fort blast. Pahalgam was the only exception when Hindu tourists were singled out and shot down.
The Modi government’s assertion yet again that it would seek out and punish the perpetrators of the Red Fort blast and the gangs that planned nationwide attacks is seen in the right spirit. However, action should follow with all seriousness. The Operation Sindoor was a lost opportunity to nail the terror outfits that have been targeting India for decades. The military operation’s abrupt end left many Indians aghast, as questions arose whether the purpose of the hard-edged engagement was achieved, or an available opportunity squandered. The Modi establishment is yet to provide clarity to the whole operations, the losses thereof, and the results. Modi’s warning that any further terror attacks on Indian soil from Pakistani outfits would be tantamount to a war. The casualties in the Red Fort blast was high at 12 – against 26 in Pahalgam. Strong steps are required to avoid its recurrence. Pakistan’s bluff must be called. Now that the US was directly involved in a ceasefire in May, and Chinese support was evident in the Pakistani counter-offensive, the issue no more limits itself to the subcontinent. Though the prime minister has sought to build a new bonhomie with Xi Jinping, India cannot trust China in any event. All these present a complex scenario.
