Wednesday, March 8 2006 15:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Varanasi: Terming the twin bomb blasts here as a "terrorist act", Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today (Mar 08 2006) hinted at the role of a Pakistan-based terror outfit behind them and said the state government would work together with the Centre to work out the case.

Addressing a crowded press conference at the Circuit house here, Yadav said that yesterday's blasts were "definitely an act of terrorism."

Referring to an encounter at Gosainganj near Lucknow today, in which a terrorist was killed by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police, Yadav said he had been told that the slain terrorist was a Pakistani.

He expressed confidence that those behind the blasts would be identified after thorough investigation of the encounter.

To a question, Yadav said he was getting full co-operation from the Centre and also commended the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for evincing deep concern over the tragedy.

The said he has spoken to Patil five times since the blast and "Centre is extending all possible help."

Blasts had imposed a moral responsibility

Rejecting a contention that the blasts had imposed a moral responsibility on the state government and said such incidents also took place in other parts of the country.

Reposing his faith in the STF, he said the Force had successfully worked out last year's terrorist attack on the Ramjanmabhoomi complex within a short span of one month and exuded confidence that last evening's blast would also be successfully worked out in a similar way.

On the opposition's demand for the dismissal of his government, Yadav said there must not be any attempt to gain mileage out of acts of terror.

He said all aspects of yesterday's tragedy, including laxity or failure of the district administration, would form part of the investigation.

On suspended party MP Raj Babbar's apprehensions that there could be attempts to engineer communal violence in the state, Yadav quipped that there is no point giving any credence to the people who have "medieval mentality."

On being asked about AICC President Sonia Gandhi's visit to the city late last night, Yadav said: "she did right by rushing immediately" but hastened to add that state PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav had already arrived before her.

He said it's a challenge for the people of the state which his government was ready to accept and made a fervent appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony in the state and spoil the designs of the terrorists.