'No intelligence failure in Assam'

Denying any intelligence failure behind a series of bomb blasts in Assam, Shakeel Ahmed said the terror attack could be linked with the communal clashes in the northeastern state this month.

Denying any intelligence failure behind a series of bomb blasts in Assam on Thursday, Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmed said the terror attack could be linked with the communal clashes in the northeastern state this month.

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"No, there is no intelligence failure in this case. Even after intelligence reports, intensive policing is needed to avoid such tragedies," said Ahmed, also a spokesman for the Congress party.

"Although we can't say who is behind the blasts, there were communal clashes in different parts of Assam on Oct 3 and Oct 5 in which at least 57 people were killed and 225,000 people had to take refuge in relief camps," he said.

Without naming any organisation, he said: "Such acts of terror are the result of politics of hate that is being spread in different parts of the country."

Conceding that it was difficult at this initial stage to say who were behind the blasts or whether it was an act of people from across the border or from within, the minister said: "Now even those who used to blame others are found to be involved in the acts of terror."

At least 30 people were killed in 12 blasts in Assam on Thursday morning.