New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Feb 16, 2004) said terrorists had planned a major strike in Delhi on this year's Republic Day but the design was foiled just two days prior to the celebrations.

Talking about dangers posed by terrorism at Delhi Police's 56th Raising Day celebration in New Delhi, he said he was aware of the massive security arrangements made for national celebrations.

"I know this year a major conspiracy had been hatched by terrorists to strike in the capital on Republic Day. The plan was foiled just two days before the Republic Day when Delhi Police arrested three terrorists," he said apparently referring to nabbing of three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) activists along with a large quantity of arms and explosives.

He said if the plan had not been foiled in time "I don't know what would have happened".

Appreciating Delhi Police for the successful work, the Deputy Prime Minister said terrorists try to carry out an attack in the capital as it would give them worldwide publicity.

"Even if there is a blast on Republic Day anywhere in Delhi, it is a big achievement for terrorists as the wide publicity they may get would act as the biggest moral booster for terrorists," Advani said.

Police nabbed three LeT terrorists from a house in East Delhi just before Republic Day and seized three kgs of RDX, four rocket-propelled grenades, two electronic detonators and four ABCD timers.