Delhi blast can be a job of local militants, says Chidambaram

We can no longer point to cross-border terrorism as a source of terror attacks in India, says Indian Home Minister.

LONDON: Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the recent bomb blast in the Delhi High Court could be a job of local militant groups rather than Pakistan-based terrorists, The Times of India (TOI) reported on Tuesday.

The TOI quoted Chidambaram saying that "We can no longer point to cross-border terrorism as a source of terror attacks in India."

As reported earlier, a powerful bomb placed in a briefcase outside the High Court in New Delhi killed at least 11 people and wounded 76 on September 7, in an attack authorities said was claimed by a South Asian militant group linked to al Qaeda.

Authorities had said the Harkatul Jihad Islami (HUJI) militant group — an al Qaeda affiliate with bases in Pakistan and Bangladesh — had sent an email claiming responsibility.

Chidambaram said that being located close to Pakistan and Afghanistan, India has many reasons to worry about. He said “India was concerned about how to prevent the radicalisation of its youth.”

In the past, India has often blamed Pakistan for supporting terrorist groups who carry out attacks on Indian soil.

The TOI reported that the Home Minister said "That threat remains - but we must also look at Indian modules or India-based modules which are capable of carrying out terror attacks."