Besides, it was able to trigger an estimated 4,700 explosions in various parts of the country. That the security agencies have been able to seize 43,700 kg of explosives, including RDX, is a pointer to the enormity of its operations. There are a large number of ISI-trained mercenaries still operating in the country. The scenario as presented by the home ministry is frightening, to say the least. But then it also amounts to an admission of the government's failure to check the ISI.

It is amazing that despite the government spending so much money and resources,the ISI is able to strike at will. In fact, the eight northern states are not the only ones affected by the ISI brand of terrorism as the ministry has been insisting. The blasts at Coimbatore in the deep south were also traced to the Pakistani outfit. And so are many of the incidents routinely reported from the Northeast. Even the Capital is not safe from its nefarious activities. In other words, the ISI's domain virtually comprises the entire country.

Surely, the ISI would not have been able to succeed but for the failure of the intelligence machinery. It is in this context that the decision to set up a special task force and strengthen coordination among the states concerned should be seen.

It is a different matter that after every security-related meeting convened by the home ministry, decisions of this sort are announced. But they seldom have any effect on the ground situation. This being the case, there can be no excuse for complacency. Home Minister L.K. Advani has rightly impressed upon the chiefministers the need to remove the impression that India is a soft target for terrorism. But neutralising such an impression is possible only if the security forces are able to break the backbone of terrorist organisations, including the ISI.

In order for this to happen, it must first shore up its intelligence resources. Mere deployment of the Army and paramilitary forces is not sufficient. Needless to say, a vigilant citizenry can do wonders in the fight against terrorism. But, unfortunately, this aspect of the fight is invariably glossed over. It was the same story on Wednesday as well.

Similarly, factors that enable subversive agencies like the ISI to operate in the country are not often discussed. Take the case of Coimbatore. If the ISI was indeed behind the blasts in the city which had killed a large number of innocent people, it was made possible by the communal passions that were ignited for political purposes in the city.

The moral of the story is that the ISI or, for that matter, any foreignagency will be able to operate only in areas and situations they find conducive to their operations. Thus it devolves on the political parties, including the one the Home Minister represents, not to create situations which allow the ISI to fish in troubled waters. Unity is, after all, the greatest bulwark against terrorism.