The Hindu Business Line : Govt will crack down on terrorists

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said on Friday that the terrorists behind the Tuesday's serial blasts in Mumbai were ``supported by elements across the border''.

Without the support from elements across the border, the terrorists would not have been able to carry out strikes with such an effect, he said, at a news conference in Mumbai.

"They clearly want to destroy our growing economic strength and destroy our unity and to provoke communal incidents," he said. "Our strength lies in our unity."

Dr Singh visited the city hospitals where the injured from Tuesday's blasts are being treated.

Terror modules existed

The Government had credible information that terror modules existed in Mumbai and in other parts of the country; they are being instigated, inspired and supported by elements across the border without which they could not act with such devastating effect, said the Prime Minister.

"We will leave no stone unturned - I reiterate - no stone unturned, in ensuring that the terrorist elements in India are neutralised and smashed with sustained action by the Central and State Governments and the cooperation of the civil society," Dr Singh said.

Improve intelligence

Dr Singh said there was a need to improve ground level intelligence. Mumbai police had done good work and responded fast to the situation, he said: "I urge the local police to have their ears to the ground and detect any anti-national activities."

He noted that the terrorists were becoming sophisticated in their operations and that it was necessary to upgrade the technological capabilities of our establishments. "This we will do. Both at the Central and State levels," he said.

He also said that he had explained to Pakistan at the highest level that it would be difficult for the peace process to progress if acts of terrorism continued.

Dr Singh was accompanied on his visit by the National Security Adviser, Mr M.K. Narayanan; the Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil; and the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar.

The Prime Minister also discussed the situation with the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, and with senior police and State Government officials.

Agency reports said that talks were expected to be held next week in New Delhi between India and Pakistan's foreign secretaries, but it was unclear if they would move ahead in the wake of the bombings and Dr Singh's speech.

Although no arrests have been made yet, earlier on Friday, the Mumbai Police Commissioner, Mr A.N. Roy, said a third suspect was being sought in connection with the blasts.

The anti-terror squad on Thursday night had released photos of two other suspects.

Stock markets down

The stock markets seemed hinged to international events more than domestic events. Rising crude oil prices and escalating tension in the West Asian region drove equity prices down on Friday. Fears of a further increase in interest rates contributed to the fall.

For the second consecutive day, the BSE Sensex ended lower — at 10,678.22 points, down by 180.28 points or 1.66 per cent.