Lahore attacks raise Indian concern of Taliban threat at door_English_Xinhua
Hours after Taliban militants carried out a series of coordinated attacks in Pakistan's cultural city Lahore, words of worries are making the rounds in New Delhi that the Islamist terrorists are virtually knocking on India's door.
At least 41 people have been killed in Thursday's terrorist attacks on the headquarters of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and two police training centers in Lahore -- the Elite Force police training academy at Bedian Road and the police training facility at Manawan on the city's outskirts.
Security experts and political analysts have claimed that Bedian in Lahore where the elite police academy was attacked is just 20 km from Wagah on the Indo-Pakistan international border, reinforcing fears that the growing Taliban influence within Pakistan poses a direct threat to India.
"What is worrying for India is that Bedian is within a range of only 20 km from the Wagah international border on the outskirts of the northern Indian town of Amritsar. The Taliban are virtually knocking on India's door. It's not a favrable situation across the border for India," Delhi-based security expert Ravi Dawa said.
In fact, at the Bedian police training facility, Pakistani army commandos have gunned down all five terrorists involved in the attack, who entered the center by scaling a wall before some blowing themselves up.
"It was an audacious attack in which seven Pakistani security personnel were also killed. Police have claimed that the terrorists, including suicide bombers, were all young boys aged between 18 and 20. Pakistani TV channels reported that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the Lahore attacks.
"Now, if they can come so close to the international border, it only reinforces fears that the Taliban militants may someday try to stage a similar attack on this side of the border. It should be considered as a wake up call for India. The security forces need to be more alert," political analyst Professor Ajay Singh said.
Agreed political scientist Prof SK Gupta: "Lashker-e-Toiba militants carried out a massacre in Mumbai last November, an attack which caught Indian security forces completely unaware. The Taliban attack in Lahore should put our forces on extra vigil so that another attack is averted right on time."
"Moreover, FIA is investigating the major terrorist cases. It is in charge of investigating the Pakistan-end of the Mumbai terror attacks case also. An attack on FIA building in Lahore may not to taken lightly on this side of the border. India should not be caught sleeping the next time," he added.
Professor Ajay Singh said that "the growing Taliban influence in Pakistan is India's headache."
"Though Pakistan has vowed not to let the attacks deter the government in its pursuit of Taliban and al-Qaida fighters, India should take all precautions on this side of the border, " he said.
