The Hindu : Lashkar behind Akshardham temple attack: Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 29, 2002

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Lashkar behind Akshardham temple attack: Advani

By J.P. Shukla

The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, and the BSP supremo, Kanshi Ram, at a BSP rally in Lucknow on Saturday. — Photo: Subir Roy

LUCKNOW SEPT. 28. The recent terrorist attack at the Akshardham temple in Gujarat has the "clear signature" of the Pakistan-based terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, said here today.

Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the State BJP executive, Mr. Advani said the two terrorists killed by the security forces were armed to the teeth. Their apparent objective was to take hostage the large number of devotees present inside the temple but the `sants' foiled their designs by closing the doors immediately.

Mr. Advani praised the security forces for ensuring the safety of the devotees, saving the temple from any damage and killing the terrorists. The Gujarat Government should also be praised for preventing any fallout of the terrorist attack.

He said the Vajpayee-led Government had many achievements, the most important being the free and fair elections being held in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of the troubled State had frustrated the designs of Pakistan whose President had described the elections as a farce.

Many terrorist organisations had also announced an award of Rs. 10 lakhs to anyone who killed a candidate.

Three months ago, Mr. Advani said, the BJP was in despair with the losses suffered by the party during the Assembly elections in various States and the violence caused by the Godhra incident in Gujarat. Now, the situation had completely changed as evidenced by the success of the Government's efforts in controlling the attack on the Akshardham temple and its aftermath.

He said the BJP decision to support the ruling coalition in Uttar Pradesh headed by the Bahujan Samaj Party leader, Mayawati, was part of an experiment that could have long-term political implications. Besides breaking the deadlock created following the last Assembly elections, the experiment was also expected to play a significant role in harmonising social equations. And its impact would not remain confined to Uttar Pradesh.

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