Why Ajmer Sharif is a perfect target for terrorists

FAITH ATTACKED: Rajasthan Police investigate the blast site at Ajmer Sharif. See Citizen Journalist pictures

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New Delhi: Ajmer is limping back to normalcy a day after the terror attack in the sanctum sanctorum of the city’s famous shrine, the dargah of Moin-ud-din Chishti, which killed two worshippers on Thursday and injured 20 others.

The Army has been called in to prevent any violence after the blast, which took place took place 20 metres away from the main shrine at 1820 hrs (IST) when the evening prayers were on and at least 500 devotees were packed inside.

Police have cordoned off the area and security has been heightened in Rajasthan and the neighbouring states.

Rajasthan shares one of the longest borders with Pakistan but has never really been on the intelligence radar. The result now is that sleeper cells have been gaining ground in the state, especially Ajmer Sharif.

Ajmer Sharif, the symbol of Sufi brotherhood, has more to it then just VIP visitors and the annual Urs by the pious. There are others who are attracted to this town on the edge of the desert – from ISI agents to Hizbul terrorists.

In the past two years at least four terror modules have been unearthed in Rajasthan with two in Ajmer itself.

In May 2005, ISI agent, Mohammed Mehmood alias Sahil, was arrested from an Ajmer hotel. A Pakistani's bank ATM card was found with him.

Again in August 2005, in Jaipur, another ISI agent, Shahnawaz Khan, was charged with espionage. He was caught while trying to get an Indian passport. A diary with information on military installations in Rajasthan was found with him.

The biggest catch came in December 2005 when two ISI-backed terror modules were busted – in one, a Hizbul mujahideen terrorist Sabir Ahmed was caught in Ajmer. Three AK-47 rifles and detonators and cartridges were found with him.

With enough signs that the barbed wires near the border areas aren't enough to stop terror from slipping in from the desert, the question is why hasn't the Government woken up and the answer perhaps lies within.

“State governments have to contribute in a better manner in acquiring, analysing and using intelligence,” Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said.

Despite the warnings by the intelligence authorities, the message coming from the corridors of power this festive season is that you are on your own when your security is concerned.

Piece by peace

Rajasthan Home Minister, Gulab Chand Kataria told CNN-IBN that security at the dargah is usually tight, but there might have been a slip up. "Security was tight at the dargah. But it's possible that there wasn't enough man-power because of Gujjar agitation for which police was diverted," he said.

President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Kamal Farooqi, condemned the attack.

"This is a clear cut design and the idea is to disturb peace. This is why the attackers choose soft spots like religious. Ajmer Sharif is not only revered by Muslims but people from all religion. So this is not an attack on a mosque or temple, it's an attack on India's religious harmony," he said.