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Fernandes absolves army of security lapse

There was no security lapse by the Indian Army, which led to Friday night's storming of the Red Fort by Lashkar-e-Tayiba militants, in which three people were killed, Union Defence Minister George Fernandes said Saturday afternoon.

He told reporters after visiting the fort that the attack would have no impact on the peace efforts in Kashmir and the government's unilateral cease-fire.

Fernandes said the area was "civilian" and "civilians move around freely there''.

The army area was only a "small portion of the fort," Fernandes said, absolving the army of any lapse.

In the raid by LeT militants around 2100 hours IST, three people, including an Army jawan, were killed at the Mughal structure where prime ministers hoist the tricolour every August 15.

According to army officials investigating the case, the militants entered and escaped through the rear Salimgarh Gate. "They escaped immediately after the attack," he said.

Preliminary reports had indicated that the militants entered from the Lahore Gate.

The police recovered an AK-47 rifle, probably left behind by the militants, during combing operations on Saturday. They also recovered over 20 empty shells of AK-type guns.

Police also recovered a telephone diary, which they believe belong to a militant, an official said.

The police and army believe that the two militants had checked into a hotel in the Jama Masjid area, opposite the Red Fort. Around the historic mosque, Jama Masjid, there are numerous old guest houses and hotels.

The police also believe that the militants "would have escaped away from Delhi, but would not head towards Jammu and Kashmir."

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