Delhi HC blast: Home Ministry slams 'clueless' agencies

Sep 08, 2011 - Rajnish Sharma and Namrata Biji Ahuja |

Asian Age

New Delhi

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The Central intelligence and security agencies have been caught napping by Wednesday’s high-intensity explosion outside the Delhi high court. Highly placed government sources admitted that the agencies were absolutely clueless about any specific inputs regarding a terror attack in the capital.

Both the Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency, sources added, have been pulled up by the home ministry for their 'lax attitude'.

In fact, sources went on to admit that the July alert sent to some state police, including Delhi, was only 'general in nature and not specific'.

Home ministry sources admitted that the July alert did not make mention of terror targets in the capital, including the Delhi high court, nor did it refer to activities of any particular terror group.

“It was a terror threat and, hence, the Delhi police was alerted but there was no specific intelligence,” an MHA official said.

The highest quarters in the government were extremely critical of the intelligence agencies role as a low-intensity bomb had exploded in the parking of the high court on May 25 also.

Officials now admit that not taking the May 25 incident '’seriously' was a mistake as it was possibly a 'trial run' for Wednesday’s bombing.

“The high court blast has clearly exposed the chinks in the intelligence and security establishments armour,” an official remarked.

“Both the May 25 and today’s explosion were very well-planned and executed,” a top intelligence official admitted.

“In fact, May 25 also happened to be a Wednesday. The terrorists deliberately chose Wednesday as its a busy day at the high court since its the day for PILs,” an official added.

Investigation into the May 25 incident had revealed that the person wanted to plant the bomb near cylinders inside the canteen which was packed with litigants and lawyers during lunch time. But seeing the security at the gate the explosive was left in the parking lot.

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