Click to play videoNew Delhi: Railway security in the country is under the scanner after the blasts on the Samjhauta Express. Recent trends reveal the Indian railway is fast becoming the commonest mode of travel for terrorists.
Blasts in Mumbai, Malegaon, Jama Masjid, Sarojini Nagar and on the Samjhauta Express - all scary reminders of terror lurking at every corner waiting to strike at an opportune moment. But what's also worrying is the way terrorist outfits have started using the Indian Railways.
Facts speak for themselves:
- Two Lashker-e-Toiba men were arrested at New Delhi Railway Station in February 2006.
- One terrorist was shot dead and two more arrested at the Nizamuddin railway station in May 2006.
- Two LeT men arrested from the New Delhi railway station in August 2006.
- Two more LeT arrests were made at the Old Delhi station in October 2006.
- And on New Year's Eve 2006, two terrorists were caught, again, at the New Delhi railway station.
Past records:
- February 27, 2006: LeT men Shamil and Shaheen arrested at New Delhi railway station travelling on Howrah-New Delhi Express.
- May 8, 2006: Delhi: LeT militant shot dead, two arrested from Nizamuddin railway station travelling on Mumbai-Amritsar Golden Temple Express.
- August 10, 2006: Two LeT men Anaz and Abrar arrested from Ajmeri Gate travelling on Swaraj Express.
- October 16, 2006: LeT Bangladeshis Aslam and Razzaq arrested at Old Delhi travelling on Pooja Express from Jammu.
- December 31, 2006: Samiullah and Ali arrested at New Delhi Railway Station.
Not to forget the recent arrests made in February 2007 of the four JeM militants arrested near ITO, three had arrived in the Capital on the Malwa Express.
The pattern is evident, of the 33 arrests made in 2006, most of them were in and around railway stations.
Former Joint Director IB M K Dhar said, “Indian Railways have always been a soft target."
But Railway authorities say security has been increased since the Samjhauta blasts near Panipat.
Northern Railways Chief PRO Rajiv Saxena said, “We have put cameras, scanners etc and we are taking utmost precautions."
Blame it on inadequate or no security and the sheer bulk of passengers; the Railways can be easily used by terror outfits to travel in and transport arms and ammunition.
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