Evidence of Hindu extremist link to Samjhauta,say officials,add caution

Regardless of the larger diplomatic ramifications — the possibility of Islamabad using this as a handle to push India on the defensive — sources said that the government is keen for the investigation to be carried out properly. And that it does not want investigators or their agencies to be in “anticipatory compliance” of certain assumptions of government’s preferences.

“The investigative agencies must do their jobs and let the political leadership do their job,” an official said.

What the government’s top brass is certain about is that Hindu extremism “exists” but at the same time is worried by the “political football” being played on this issue. Sources said this kind of politicisation only “plays into the phenomenon” and hoped all sides would exercise caution on the issue.

On the larger terror situation,the general assessment is that there continues to be a growing threat going by the current alert of an attack by the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Sources said this was a “serious alert” with specific details and all agencies were working round the clock. Also,the possibility of groups like the LeT reaching out to Indian youths and constituting a group like the Indian Mujahideen could not be ruled out.

But on the whole,government sources felt the situation was better than the beginning of the year and that India was “better equipped” to deal with the threat. In this context,they added that the plan for a National Counter Terrorism Centre was ready and would be put up for Cabinet approval soon. With NATGRID already cleared,the broad institutional framework on dealing with terror would be in place next year.

One of the main objectives for the next year,sources said,was to have similar institutional structures to cope with Maoist extremism. The government is clear that this cannot be seen like a terror problem. Here,sources gave the example of how J&K police had to “learn in three months” how to control agitating crowds without killing people.

Given that those involved in Naxal extremism were fellow citizens,sources said,a “more calibrated and institutionalised approach” is on the cards in the coming year.