Marking the 13th anniversary of the Dilsukhnagar twin blasts, the Hyderabad based Anti-Terrorism Forum (ATF) called for immediate justice for victims and urged the Telangana government to intensify efforts to dismantle terror networks across the state. The forum paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the February 21, 2013 attack and said that complete justice remains elusive even after more than a decade.
The ATF stated that many families who lost their breadwinners and several individuals who were permanently disabled in the blasts are yet to receive the promised support. It demanded that the Congress government immediately provide financial compensation, employment opportunities, and long-term medical assistance to affected families.
Expressing concern over security, the forum highlighted the continued presence of terror modules and sleeper cells within Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) and across Telangana, and urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and take proactive measures to dismantle such networks.
The ATF also called for stringent action against radical elements, urging the government to identify and sanitise areas that have become breeding grounds for extremist activities and to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism with strict legal action against those involved or sympathising with anti-national activities.
The forum emphasised that the victims of the Dilsukhnagar blasts must not be forgotten and said it would continue its efforts until every victim is rehabilitated and the menace of terrorism is eradicated.
The twin blasts took place on February 21, 2013, when two improvised explosive devices detonated minutes apart at Dilsukhnagar a busy commercial area in Hyderabad, causing heavy casualties and panic. The explosions occurred shortly after 7 pm about 100 metres apart, killing 18 civilians and injuring over a hundred. Investigators suspected the involvement of Indian Mujahideen, noting similarities with earlier attacks and reconnaissance carried out before the incident. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) later took over the probe, leading to arrests and convictions of key operatives. The attack remains one of the deadliest terror incidents in Hyderabad in recent decades.
