Taking a dig at the Centre and the Congress over the escape of three Pakistani terrorists, BJP questioned their "conspicuous" silence on the incident and said the Home Ministry was directly responsible for it.
"While Congress is wailing like a widow on the Kandahar hijack episode (in which the then NDA government released three terrorists in lieu of passengers of the hijacked aircraft), why is it conspicuous by its silence on the escape of three Pakistani terrorists involved in the blasts near Red Fort," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said in New Delhi.
He said since law and order in Delhi was under the Centre, the Home Ministry was directly responsible for the episode. "Why is the Home Minister silent on the issue? He is said to be good at his work and they escaped right under the nose of the government," he said.
The three Pakistani terrorists -- Abdul Razzak, Mohammed Sadiq and Rafaqat Ali -- who were arrested in connection with blasts near the Red Fort nine years ago were to be deported to Pakistan as they had completed their jail term, but escaped on Friday while being escorted to a city hospital.
Delhi Police has sounded an alert in the national capital and neighbouring areas and announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone providing information about the three terrorists.
Senior BJP leader in Delhi, V K Malhotra, while slamming the police, said the escape of the terrorists have punctured the Police Commissioner's "tall claim" that law and order has improved in the city.
Malhotra claimed that after interrogating American terror suspect David Headley, FBI had cautioned India of terrorist attacks in major cities in the country.
"In spite of such warnings, the Pakistani terrorists have escaped from the custody of Delhi Police which tantamount to criminal negligence on the part of Delhi Police," he said.
Malhotra also said thousands of Pakistani citizens, who have come to India on valid visas, have not gone back.
"More then half a million Bangladeshis sneaked into India illegally, stayed in Delhi and indulged in various crimes," he further said demanding their immediate deportation. PTI
