Terrorists attack Ayodhya temple, 6 killed

Guns spewed fire and smoke in Ayodhya today and blood was spilled on ground holy for both Hindus and Muslims as six heavily-armed terrorists made an unsuccessful bid to storm the high-security makeshift Ram temple here but were killed by the security forces before they could strike at the shrine.

Thirteen years after the disputed Babri mosque was demolished, suicide terrorists strap-ped with explosives drove into the disputed temple complex at 8.15 am. The subsequent intense gun-battle with the terrorists lasted nearly an hour and injured four policeman and a civilian.

How so few people were injured is a miracle considering the preparations the attackers had made. Disguised as devotees, they came in a hired jeep bearing the registration number UP-42-T-0618 and stunned the security forces deployed at the first barricade by blasting the explosive-laden vehicle in which one of them was blown to pieces.

His other accomplices, who had got down from the vehicle earlier, hurled grenades and fired indiscriminately with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 and carbine rifles, while entering the premises of the disputed area.

They were challenged by the personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Central reserve police Force (CRPF) near the Sita Rasoi temple, part of the disputed area, and were gunned down nearly 70 metres short of the makeshift temple in an operation lasting about 90 minutes.

The driver of the taxi, Rehan Alam, a resident of Ayodhya, who also got down along with five terrorists a short distance away from the barricade, was arrested and on being questioned, told the police that he had just been hired by the attackers, whom "he had never seen in Ayodhya", according to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who spoke to the press.

Another militant killed in the encounter was later found with explosives strapped to his body.

UP Principal Secretary Alok Sinha said in Lucknow all the pilgrims were safe and no damage was done to the temple area. Four AK-47 and AK-56 rifles, some hand-grenades and ammunition were recovered from the bodies of the slain militants.

Sinha admitted that there was a security lapse and said the authorities would look into it, fix responsibility and take corrective action. But UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said there was no security lapse as all the attackers were killed before they could do any damage.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, however, could not resist the temptation of taking a swipe at his adversary, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and assert that as it was the state government's responsibility to maintain law and order, he must explain how the attack took place.

Anticipating reprisals all over the country, state governments were advised and indeed took immediate precautions. Security was beefed up in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Wherever any revenge killings were anticipated, tough measures were taken to ensure minorities were safe.

Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said what had happened was unfortunate and warned all parties of the perils of playing politics with an incident like this.

Police and intelligence investigations that will be completed later this week will determine whether the attackers were local or not.

Home Ministry sources said the government was monitoring the situation especially areas where organisations like the Vishva Hindu Parishad were strong, to ensure the strikes and bandhs called by them went off peacefully.

The Cabinet committee on security, presided by the Prime Minister, also reviewed the security scenario across the country. Condemning the terrorist attack, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the government's "determination and resolve" to deal firmly with all such acts of terrorism, which were a threat to India's security and polity.

"The government views the incident as a serious one. All states have been alerted to take adequate precautions for protecting monuments, security installations and religious places," he said describing the attack as "unfortunate".

The Prime Minister, who was scheduled to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Gujarat, cancelled his visit in view of the attack.

Reaffirming the country's resolve not to allow terrorist elements to succeed in their nefarious designs, the Prime Minister said "particular attention has been drawn towards maintaining communal harmony, peace and public order," according to his media adviser Sanjaya Baru.

Singh said, "it is also fortunate that no damage ocurred to the physical structures at the site of the incident".