There was a time when the news channels and newspapers would carry at least one story of a terror attack in the country. Travelling by trains and buses meant additional checks by the passengers – remember how we used to check beneath our seats, on the upper berths of trains, or the luggage racks for “unclaimed baggage”? When was the last time you consciously did that? 

Ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power, a severe crackdown on terror has been something we all got to see. The UPA years sorely remind us of several terror attacks in major cities across the country, not just the regions where insurgency has been the norm like Assam and Chhattisgarh or in the Kashmir valley where infiltration was a given, any time.

Yes, the Narendra Modi-led regime did see terror attacks in the valley and sensitive areas, but say Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Coimbatore did not see any significant incidents over the past decade.

Talking of Coimbatore, yes, there was an attempt in 2022 that was thwarted right on time, and it is this response we are speaking of. The central investigative agencies have upped the ante and spruced up their force ably aided by the central government.  

As per government data presented to parliament by the Home Affairs Ministry, there were “major terrorist attacks in the hinterland” in 2015 and 2016. During the period from 2009 to 2013, when a Congress-led government was in power, official records indicate 15 “major cases of terrorist incidents in the hinterland.”

What changed?

Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has undergone significant changes in its approach to cross-border attacks. Following the 2016 Uri surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot air attack, India became the third nation globally, after the United States and Israel, to conduct such operations. This signaled India’s commitment to combat terrorism both within its borders and beyond.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted in September 2021 that there had been no major terrorist attacks since Modi assumed office in 2014, attributing this to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. Anti-terror laws have been strengthened, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) empowered, and efforts made to curb terror financing. Historic peace accords have been signed with northeast insurgents, and counter-terrorism measures in Kashmir have led to a significant reduction in incidents like stone-pelting. Overall, the Modi government has prioritized national security and taken proactive measures against terrorism.

Now, when we talk of the hinterland, here are some statistics that prove that today, as of 2024, this same hinterland, the country’s major cities, are safer than ever. The Manmohan Singh government formally took over power in May 2004. The Congress government held power at the centre for a decade until 2014.

2004 Dhemaji school bombing: On Independence Day, August 15, 2004, the Dhemaji school bombing took place in Dhemaji, Assam. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), an Assamese militant group, carried out the bombing, resulting in the tragic death of 18 individuals and causing injuries to numerous others. The majority of the victims were schoolchildren aged between 12 and 14, along with their mothers.

2005 Ram Janmabhoomi attack: On July 5, 2005, a group of five terrorists launched an attack on the makeshift Ram temple in Ayodhya. The CRPF engaged in a gunfight with the attackers, resulting in the death of all five terrorists. One civilian lost their life in the grenade attack initiated by the assailants to breach the cordoned wall. The CRPF incurred three casualties, including two members who sustained severe injuries from multiple gunshot wounds.

2005 Shramjeevi Express blast: On July 28, 2005, a potent explosion occurred on the Patna-New Delhi Shramjeevi Express near Hariharpur railway crossing in Jaunpur district, resulting in the tragic deaths of fourteen individuals and injuries to 62 others. Eyewitnesses reported that two young individuals boarded the train at Jaunpur railway station with a white suitcase, later disembarking without it as the train departed. Subsequent investigations revealed that the explosion, fueled by RDX, originated from the contents of the suitcase left in the train’s toilet.

2005 Delhi serial bombings: On October 29, 2005, just two days before Diwali, three explosions shook the national capital, resulting in the tragic loss of 67 lives and leaving over 200 individuals injured. The terrorists strategically placed bombs in bags at bustling markets in Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj, as well as inside a DTC bus.

2005 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) shooting: On December 28, 2005, a tragic shooting incident took place at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. During the attack, Professor Munish Chandra Puri from IIT Delhi lost his life, and four others were injured when two or more unidentified gunmen opened fire. The Karnataka state government officially declared the incident a terrorist attack, marking it as the first of its kind in Bangalore.

2006 Varanasi bombings: On March 7, 2006, a series of explosions occurred near the Sankat Mochan temple close to the Banaras Hindu University and the Varanasi Cantonment station, resulting in the tragic loss of 28 lives and leaving over 100 individuals injured.

2006 Bombay serial bomb blasts on trains: On July 11, 2006, a series of seven bomb blasts occurred during the evening rush hour on suburban trains in Bombay (now Mumbai) in a span of 11 minutes. The coordinated bombings targeted crowded local trains, and over 200 people lost their lives while hundreds were injured.

2006 Malegaon bombings: On September 8, 2006, Malegaon, a town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, was rocked by blasts targeting a cemetery during Friday prayers on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat. Explosive devices were placed on a bicycle parked near the cemetery, resulting in over 37 fatalities, leaving several injured.

2007 Samjhauta Express bombings: On the night of February 18, 2007, a terrorist attack targeted the Samjhauta Express, a train service connecting Delhi and Lahore. Explosions occurred in two carriages filled with passengers shortly after the train passed Diwana near Panipat, resulting in a fire that claimed the lives of 70 people and left dozens more injured. The victims mainly comprised Pakistani civilians, along with some Bharatiya civilians and three railway policemen.

2007 Mecca Masjid blast: On May 18, 2007, a powerful bomb blast struck the Mecca Masjid near Charminar, resulting in the death of at least nine people and injuries to 58 others. Police suspected the Pakistani terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI)’s hand. However, the “right-wing terror” theory seems to have started from here. 

2007 Shingar Cinema blast: On October 14, 2007, an explosion during a movie show in Ludhiana resulted in the tragic loss of six lives and left over 42 individuals injured. 

2007 Uttar Pradesh bombings: On the afternoon of November 23, 2007, a series of six consecutive serial blasts shook the courts in Lucknow, Varanasi, and Faizabad (present Ayodhya) in Uttar Pradesh. Within a span of 25 minutes, numerous casualties were reported, and several individuals sustained injuries during the unfortunate incidents. 

2008 attack on CRPF camp in UP: On January 1, 2008, a tragic attack occurred at the CRPF group centre during the early hours, targeting personnel who were gathered around a bonfire after New Year’s Eve celebrations. The assailants, armed with grenades and AK-47s, swiftly carried out the attack. Seven CRPF jawans lost their lives in the assault, and a rickshaw puller sleeping near the gate also succumbed to the violence. 

2008 Jaipur bombings: On May 13, 2008, Jaipur witnessed a series of devastating blasts, shaking the city at Manak Chawk Khanda, Chandpole Gate, Badi Chaupad, Chhoti Chaupad, Tripolia Gate, Johri Bazar, and Sanganeri Gate. The coordinated explosions, carried out with nine ammonium nitrate bombs attached to bicycles, occurred within a 25-minute span in the evening in densely populated areas. The tragic event resulted in 71 casualties and left 185 people injured. 

2008 Bengaluru serial blasts: On July 25, 2008, Bengaluru, the IT city, was rattled by a series of serial blasts that resulted in one fatality and eight injuries. Nine bombs were detonated across different locations in Bengaluru, including Adugodi, Madiwala, Ashok Nagar, Byatarayanapura, Sampangiram Nagar, Kengeri, and the Koramangala police station limits. The terrorists strategically triggered eight serial blasts within a span of 35 minutes during the busy lunch hour, causing widespread panic and chaos.

2008 Ahmedabad bombings: Within a mere 70 minutes on July 26, 2008, Ahmedabad city was rocked by the detonation of 20 bombs at various locations. Terrorists strategically planted these explosives in buses, on parked bicycles, and in cars. The devastating attacks resulted in 56 fatalities and nearly 200 injuries. This came a day after Bengaluru had experienced bombings (as mentioned above), and a day later, on July 27, similar bombs were discovered in Surat; fortunately, none of them detonated. 

September 13 2008 Delhi bombings: On Saturday, September 13, 2008, a tragic incident unfolded in Delhi as a series of five synchronised bomb blasts occurred within a few minutes. The devastating event claimed the lives of at least 30 people, leaving a lasting impact on the families of the victims, who continue to bear the haunting memories of that fateful day.

September 27 2008 Delhi bombing: Two weeks after the harrowing five serial blasts on September 13, 2008, in New Delhi, tragedy struck again as a bomb detonated in a crowded market in the capital. The explosion resulted in the loss of two lives and left 22 others injured, adding to the distressing events that had unfolded earlier in the month.

2008 Agartala bombings: On October 1, 2008, in Agartala, Tripura, at least two individuals lost their lives, and around 100 were injured as four bombs detonated. Among them, one bomb exploded at a bus stand, while the remaining three went off in and around a market in rapid succession during the evening rush hour.

2008 Imphal blast: On October 21, 2008, in Imphal West district, at least 17 individuals lost their lives, and over 30 others were injured as unidentified militants detonated a bomb attached to a two-wheeler near a police commando complex. Among the victims were a few security personnel. Thirteen people lost their lives immediately, while four more succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

2008 Assam serial blasts: On October 30, 2008, a devastating series of blasts orchestrated by militants claimed the lives of 88 individuals and left over 500 others injured across four districts in Assam. This tragic incident stands as the third-largest bomb attack in the country, following the Mumbai blasts of 1993 and the train bombings in 2006.

2008 Mumbai attacks: On November 26, 2008, a devastating series of coordinated attacks unfolded in south Mumbai when 10 Pakistani terrorists infiltrated the city via the sea. The orchestrated assault resulted in widespread casualties, claiming the lives of 166 individuals and injuring over 300 people. The assailants targeted multiple locations with chilling precision – Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station witnessed a relentless 90-minute assault, claiming the lives of approximately 58 people. Subsequently, as the gunmen left the station, they callously fired into a crowd near a police barricade, resulting in an additional ten tragic fatalities. Cafe Leopold experienced a brief yet intense assault lasting 10-15 minutes, leading to the death of around ten people.

Additionally, at Cama and Albless Hospital, gunmen ambushed a group of police officers, resulting in the tragic killing of six officers. Over a three-day siege at Nariman House, a Jewish community centre, seven individuals lost their lives. The Oberoi-Trident Hotel witnessed a harrowing three-day siege during which approximately 30 people fell victim to the assailants. Similarly, at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, the siege spanned four days, resulting in the loss of approximately 31 lives.

2009 Guwahati bombings: 2009 was a terrible year for Guwahati as the city was rocked by bomb blasts way too frequently. 

• On January 1, 2009, serial blasts in Guwahati killed six and injured around 67 people just before Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s visit, with authorities suspecting the involvement of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
• On January 4, 2009, suspected Black Widow (BW) militants triggered a bomb blast on the railway track between Harangajao and Mailongdisa railway stations in the North Cachar Hills District. The blast derailed three bogies of a goods train coming from Badarpur to Lumding, causing around 40 meters of track damage.
• On March 25, 2009, in Tezpur (Assam), at least 13 people, including a CRPF jawan, were injured in a grenade attack by ULFA militants in the busy Lakhsmi Mandir area. The incident highlighted the persistent threat posed by militant groups in the region.
• On March 31, 2009, a bomb blast in Jyoti Kuchi, Guwahati, resulted in one fatality and ten injuries. The bomb, placed in a parked motorcycle near a hotel, coincided with a press conference by Pranab Mukherjee at Hotel Ashok.
• On April 6, 2009, yet another blast occurred in the Maligaon area of Guwahati. This incident resulted in at least six casualties and numerous injuries. 

2010 Pune German Bakery bombing: On February 13, 2010, a bomb exploded at a German bakery in Pune, killing 18 people and injuring at least 60 others, including an Italian woman, two Sudanese students, and an Iranian student. 

2010 Varanasi bombing: On December 7, 2010, a blast occurred at the Dashashwamedh Ghat during evening aarti, resulting in the death of a two-year-old girl, injuries to around 25 people, including foreigners, and a stampede. The Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack, and an IED was found in a dustbin at the site.

2011 Mumbai bombings: During the evening rush hour on July 13, 2011, Mumbai experienced three impactful bomb blasts, resulting in a death toll of at least 21 people and numerous injuries. The three coordinated bomb blasts struck different locations in Mumbai, targeting the Zaveri bazaar, Opera House, and Dadar, known for its residential areas. This was the 4th attack on Mumbai since 2003. 

2011 Delhi bombing: A bomb concealed in a briefcase detonated at the Delhi High Court on September 7, 2011, resulting in 11 deaths and over 50 people injured. The blast occurred in the reception area at Gate no 5, where a large crowd had assembled to obtain passes required to enter the courthouse. The explosion created a crater nearly four feet deep, indicating the considerable power of the bomb. 

2012 Delhi attack on Israeli diplomat: On February 13, 2012, two individuals, including the spouse of an Israeli diplomat, were reportedly injured when an explosive device detonated in or near a car with diplomatic plates in Delhi. 

2012 Pune blasts: Four synchronised low-intensity explosions occurred on the bustling J M road in the centre of Pune on August 1, 2012, leaving at least one person injured. 

2013 Hyderabad blasts: On February 21, 2013, Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad, Telangana (then in Andhra Pradesh), witnessed two bomb blasts. CCTV footage showed that five men had planted the bombs on parked bicycles. The IEDs contained iron nails, bolts, and ammonium nitrate, secured together by a copper string for maximum impact. The twin blasts resulted in a tragic toll of at least 18 lives, with around 130 people sustaining injuries.

2013 Bangalore bombing: On the morning of April 17, 2013, a low-intensity bomb explosion injured 17 people, including 12 police personnel, in Bangalore. The blast occurred approximately 100 meters from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Malleswaram. The injured police personnel were inside a Karnataka State Reserve Police van stationed for 24-hour election duty.

2013 Gaya bombings: A series of low-intensity timed device explosions shook the Bodh Gaya temple complex in northern Bihar, which is considered the holiest Buddhist shrine where Buddha attained enlightenment. Nine explosions occurred, resulting in minor injuries to two individuals. 

2013 Patna bombings: When Narendra Modi was campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls (2014), explosions during an election rally resulted in the death of five individuals and injuries to 83 in Patna on October 27, 2013. At least six rudimentary bombs detonated in rapid succession near a gathering of tens of thousands of individuals anticipating a speech by the then-opposition candidate Narendra Modi for the election scheduled for May that year.

2014 Chennai train bombing: Two explosions occurred in train coaches at the Chennai Central railway station on the morning of May 1, 2014, resulting in the death of a passenger and injuries to 14 others, with five in serious condition.

These statistics exclude attacks in Jammu and Kashmir as it is acknowledged that the Kashmir situation is different compared to the rest of the country. Also, with the abrogation of Article 370, things are now on a different plane. It’s noteworthy to recall that during the Batla House encounter, where Indian Mujahideen terrorists were neutralised, the then Congress chief, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, expressed profound grief upon witnessing the bodies of those terrorists. 

Yes, attacks happened during the Modi regime, but they were limited to pockets and not the “hinterland”. The UPA years saw 3 Home Ministers – Shivraj Patil (2004-2008), P Chidambaram (2008-2009, 2009-2012) and Sushil Kumar Shinde (2012-2014). The callous attitudes of the Home Ministers in the UPA era are telling. During his tenure as HM, P Chidambaram was involved in the Ishrat Jahan case regarding the alleged modifications made to the affidavit filed. It was claimed that the original affidavit, which labelled Ishrat Jahan as a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, was changed to eliminate references to her alleged involvement in terrorism. Whether these alterations were an attempt to downplay Jahan’s links to terrorism and influence the narrative surrounding the encounter is a big question. Chidambaram, however, defended the modifications, stating they were made based on the available intelligence at the time. 

Without a strong team, a team committed to keeping the country secure, citizens of Bharat will have to continue living a life of fear and uncertainty day in and day out. Do we need more reason to bring Narendra Modi back to power?