Delhi hero calls Kasab hanging landmark event

Ajmal Amir Kasab's execution will force terror outfits and their operatives to think twice before carrying out another attack on India, say victims of serial blasts in Delhi in 2005.

Kuldeep Singh, 40, the DTC bus driver whose presence of mind saved lives of many Delhiites during the blasts, termed it a landmark decision.

“I was told about Kasab’s hanging by my wife after reports were flashed on TV news channels this morning. It is a great feeling to know that a person who made fear reign in the minds of crores of people in the country has been brought to justice. Now, the government must make sure that his handlers across the border are also brought to justice,” Kuldeep said.

He said earlier mercy petitions pending with President Pranab Mukherjee too must be processed quickly, as this was crucial to India’s fight against terrorism. “The government must also hang 2001 Parliament terror attack convict Afzal Guru to send a strong message to terror outfits,” he said.

The Patel Nagar resident was maimed in a bomb blast at Govindpuri on October 29, 2005.  He lost his eyesight and the fingers on his right hand, is hearing impaired and cannot walk without help. Hailed as the brave man who threw a bag containing a bomb out of a crowded bus just moments before it exploded, Kuldeep saved the lives of 70-80 bus passengers while taking the impact of the blast himself.

Bombs were also set off that day in Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj, killing 62 people and injuring at least 210 others in the three blasts. Vinod Poddar, a survivor of the blast at Sarojini Nagar, said Kasab's hanging was a bold decision by the government, which will come as relief to thousands of people who had been fighting for justice since the attack in 2008.

“Being a victim, I can feel the relief that it would have provided to people who have suffered in the past four years. The government must ensure that such landmark decisions are taken on a regular basis to have a strong impact on terrorists,” he said. Vinod lost his right leg in the blast.