Blasts, Kashmir, Naxalism on the PM's mind

The recent blasts in Mumbai and Delhi are a "grave reminder" of the great challenge that terrorists pose to India's national security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday.

The PM was addressing the annual conference of director generals of police and inspector generals of police organised by the Intelligence Bureau.

Dr Singh conceded that the national security situation continues to be 'uncertain'.

"Recent terror attacks in Mumbai and Delhi are a grave reminder to the great challenge posed by terrorists to our nation's security," Dr Singh said after distributing meritorious service medals to the officers.

Reportage: Onkar Singh in Delhi

He also mentioned the threat posed by Naxalism, noting how Left-wing extremism had claimed the lives of many innocent people and policemen.

During his interaction with the collectors of 13 Naxal-affected regions, he was told that there was scope for development in these regions but it would have to be done in a flexible manner, the PM said.

Speaking on the contentious issue of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "The summer has been peaceful; a large number of tourists and pilgrims visited the valley. The voter turn out in panchayat elections was good. But there is no room for complacency in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

He listed a number of steps that the Centre has taken in the state, including empowering local bodies and initiating a dialogue process, to find a way forward for honourable settlement of the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"There are reports of cross border camps and attempts to infiltrate into India by terror groups which calls for tighter security vigil in Jammu and Kashmir," Dr Singh said.

He added that the security situation in the state had witnessed "a gradual, yet substantial" improvement in the recent months.

"There are reports of cross-border terrorism being reactivated. We need to be ever vigilant if infiltration attempts are to be foiled and security maintained," he added.

He urged all security agencies to coordinate to thwart these attempts. He said the challenges before the security agencies were great but "our security and police networks have the ability to meet those challenges".

Speaking on the ongoing peace talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom, Dr Singh said they were progressing satisfactorily.