L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

What Islamabad, Kabul and Delhi must do

My long years in Afghanistan and reasonable ground knowledge of the entire Durand Line (DL) border with Pakistan, encourage me to add to H.K. Dua’s erudite assessment of the emerging situation in the neighbourhood in his front-page report, “Pakistan giving nightmares to the US” (May 20).

Some measures that will help are suggested. First, Islamabad and Kabul must jointly control the rampant growth of poppy and heroin production in conjunction with the Taliban on both sides of the DL as excessive production leads to excessive gun running and a strengthening of the rebellious tribal warlord system in Afghanistan, the NWFP and Baluchistan.

Secondly, India must encourage America to let the coalition government in Pakistan and the National Awami Party try out their peace overtures with Kabul and the Taliban and not go about aerial bombings and hot pursuits into Pakistan territory, as this only leads to further distrust in all parties concerned who wish for some stability in the Federally Administered regions.

Thirdly, the Iran-Pak-India oil pipeline project must be accelerated irrespective of American concerns, as it will bring prosperity to all concerned in the region.

Fourthly, Indian planners in the Ministry of External Affairs must mentally delink the transborder terrorism issue in Jammu and Kashmir from the prevailing situation on the Afghan-Pak border and look more towards a political solution in the Valley where home grown insurgents are doing the maximum damage.

And finally, India can help by encouraging President Musharraf and Prime Minister Gilani go about their rapprochement and having in place some institutionalised safeguards (with or without American assistance) where the nuclear arsenals of both countries are held secure and less prone to rogue interference and theft.

Maj-Gen HIMMAT SINGH GILL (retd), Chandigarh

Jaipur blasts

Like all other attacks, the terrorist attack in Jaipur that claimed the lives of over 60 people and injured many more, is a plain challenge to our security forces and intelligence wings which seem to have failed to deliver.

It is a grave challenge to the Indian state as well which seems to be helpless despite having a powerful and well-equipped Army. We have no choice but to track down and eliminate the anti-national, foreign-funded elements. Our security forces and the intelligence wings should have more men and material at their disposal to take on the enemies of the nation. A special training programme based on modern logistics and international studies on terrorism should be regularly conducted for keeping our intelligence men updated.

The Pink City blasts have caught them unawares. They seemed to be virtually snorting when the blasts rocked Jaipur. This attack has actually hurt our nation’s pride and tried to scare us collectively.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

II

No religion including Islam preaches violence and killing of innocents is against the basic principles of humanity. Whosoever is behind the gory bomb blasts in Jaipur, should be arrested, tried and handed over the death penalty.

At the same time, there must be a careful attempt to delve into the activities of other groups too such as the right-wing Hindu fanatics or Naxalites. It is highly probable that these groups are taking a powerful advantage of the over-zealousness of our sick politicians and the media in pointing fingers towards HuJI, Laskhar etc. without any iota of proven evidence.

DEEPAK JOSHI, Mumbai

III

Terrorist attacks have become too frequent, the latest being at Jaipur. But now such attacks do not shock many people. It is a ruthless action of a few persons. Since terrorism has become a big problem, India should have a separate ministry at the Centre, called the “Ministry of Anti-Terrorism”. This Ministry should continue till the canker of terror is rooted out from the Indian soil.

Terrorism must be rooted in all its forms, colours and manifestations. Those involved in it — individuals, groups and countries — should also be destroyed in toto. Instead of catching them and putting them in the jail and wasting the taxpayer’s money, terrorists should be killed just as they kill innocent people.

M. KUMAR, New Delhi

IV

This was the first incident of the kind in Jaipur during the four-year-rule of the Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan. The Centre and the state should make a comprehensive investigation of the attack, especially the people, groups and countries involved in the attack. Terrorists are not keeping silent. May be, after some time, they will strike somewhere else. Thus, we should step up our vigilance and be constantly on guard.

Dr RAJAN MALHOTRA,Palampur