THE RECENT arrest of six Indian Mujaihdeen terrorists and unearthing of small arms and ammunition factory in the outskirts of the city is a clear indication that Delhi is on the terror radar. It is unbelievable that dreaded terrorists would hide, operate and manufacture arms hardly twenty kilometers from the citadel of power i.e. North Block and South Block. The terrorists are believed to be involved in carrying out deadly strikes in Pune, Delhi and Bangalore and were now preparing to strike in a big way in Delhi. The delay in unearthing the network so far shows ineptness on the part of Delhi police, NIA and host of other intelligence agencies.
 The Delhi Police is reported to have arrested six suspected Indian Mujahihdeen terrorists from Delhi, Chennai and Bihar who were involved in various bomb blast and firing cases across the country. Investigators claimed the arrested persons were allegedly involved in the Pune German Bakery blast in February 13, 2010, blast in Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during an IPL match in April 17, 2010 and firing and a blast in a car outside Jamia Masjid in September 19, 2010 ahead of Commonwealth Games here. The breakthrough has been made two months after the Delhi High Court blasts. The police also claim to have unearthed an arms factory and seizure of a large quantity of arms and ammunition in outer Delhi.
 A moot question arises: Why it took so much time for the police and concerned agencies to crack the case when there were already inputs from intelligence agencies regarding the presence of terror operatives in some particular areas of Delhi? The inputs being authentic the government ought to have pressed into service entire force to flesh out the terrorists by combing each and every house in Delhi. But it was not so as our officials believe in issuing statements only rather than acting on time. Though Delhi police managed to arrest six IM operatives but it missed the prize catch-Yaseen Bhatkal alias Ahmed Sidiqi Bappa- believed to be the mastermind after all the gruesome attacks.
 It is strange that despite the Home Minister Mr Chidambaram’s statement in the Parliament that Delhi is on militants target, no serious efforts were taken by either his ministry or forces to comb out the terrorists. How anyone can expect the government to weed out terrorism from country if it can’t track down terror modules in the heart of Delhi?
 It seems that the statement made in the Lok Sabha  by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on September 7, 2011 on the blast near the Delhi High Court saying "Delhi is a target of terrorist groups"  was not taken seriously by the agencies dealing with internal security of the country.
 The Home Minister after every attack boasts of steps to prevent further attacks but they soon prove to be a hoax.  After the Delhi High Court blast HM Mr Chidambaram assured the House saying "when Parliament is in session and during certain other times of the year Delhi is placed on high alert. Intelligence agencies constantly share intelligence inputs with Delhi Police. Intelligence pertaining to threats emanating from certain groups was shared with Delhi Police in July, 2011. At this stage it is not possible to identify the group that caused the bomb blast today." If it was so why the police lost the opportunity to arrest the dreaded terrorists whose objective was to strike fear and to destabilise the country?
 It is amazing that despite Home Minister’s statement that Delhi is a target of terrorist groups the law enforcing agencies slept over the terror threat enabling the militants to establish base in Delhi.  Indeed, it is a clear lapse on the part of concerned agencies. There is need for strengthening of intelligence both at state and central level.

HISTORY OF TERROR ATTACKS IN DELHI

1) December 30, 1997: Four commuters killed and about 30 injured in a bomb explosion in a bus near Punjabi Bagh.
November 30, 1997: Twin blasts in Red Fort area leave three Killed and 70 injured.
October 26, 1997: Twin bomb blasts in Karol Bagh market left one dead and 34 injured.
October 18, 1997: One person was killed and 23 others were hurt in twin bomb blasts In Rani Bagh market.
October 10, 1997: One killed, 16 injured in three bomb blasts at Shantivan, Kauria Pul and Kingsway Camp areas.
October 1, 1997: Thirty people were injured in two bomb explosions near a procession in the Sadar Bazar area.
January 9, 1997: 50 injured in bomb blast opposite the Delhi Police Headquarters at ITO.
 2) 2001 Indian Parliament attack: This high-profile attack was by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. The attack led to the death of a dozen people (5 terrorists, 6 police and 1 civilian) and to increased tensions between India and Pakistan and the 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff. Mohammad Afzal who is convicted of being part of conspiracy is now sentenced to death by Indian court.
 3) 29 October 2005 Delhi bombings: It killed 62 people and injured at least 210 others in three explosions. The bombings came only two days before the important festival of Diwali. The Pakistan-based Islamist terrorist organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Front or Islamic Inquilabi Mahaz, claimed responsibility for the Delhi terrorist attacks. Tariq Ahmad Dar was convicted as the alleged mastermind of the attacks on 10 November 2005 without any evidence.
 4) April 14, 2006: At least 14 people were injured after two explosions at the courtyard of Jamia Masjid in the Walled City of Old Delhi.
 5) 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings: A series of five synchronised bomb blasts that took place within a span of few minutes on Saturday, 13 September 2008 at various locations in Delhi, India. The blasts left at least 30 people killed and over 100 injured.
 6) 7 September, 2011: At least 9 people were killed and 45 injured in a medium-intensity blast outside one of the entry gates to the Delhi High Court complex crowded with visitors seeking entry into the premises. Ammonium nitrate, a battery-like object, wires and some nails were found at the site by forensic experts.
 No doubt, talking on terrorism is easy but translating the same on the ground is very difficult. Every one can air his views but terrorism can’t be stopped by just talking, It is time for government   to do something against terrorism in India.
 There is no denying that terrorism has immensely affected India. It is very sad to see more people becoming victims of terrorist attacks. We have enough terrorist attacks and we want concrete steps to tackle terrorism. It time for action and not for reaction. The unearthing of ordinance like factory is a wake-up call. The police and other agencies need to act fast so that the Pak sponsored terrorists are not allowed to set up their base in any part of the country.