The Hindu : Attack not a revenge: Modi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 27, 2002

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National

Attack not a revenge: Modi

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR Sept. 26. The Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, today ruled out that the two terrorists involved in the attack on the Akshardham temple complex were locals or that the incident was a ``revenge'' for the killing of the Muslims during the communal riots in the State.

Talking to mediapersons, he repudiated the claims of the Delhi police that the State Government was warned of such attacks more than two months ago. The messages received from the Central or the Army intelligence were `very general in nature' about threats to places of worship.

He claimed that the two identical letters in Urdu to this effect found on the bodies of the terrorists were intended to `mislead' those carrying out investigations. The letters said that they belonged to some unknown ``Tehrik-e-Kasas'' based in Gujarat and that they were ``avenging the riot victims''. The intention was to perpetuate tension between the two communities by threatening more such acts to avenge the killing of Muslims.

The features of the terrorists indicated that they were either from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or were Pakistani nationals and had come from across the border. ``Pakistan's hand'' was clearly visible behind the ``deep-rooted conspiracy,'' he said. The terrorists were carrying ultra-modern weapons and ammunition and were all of ``foreign origin''.

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