WEDNESDAY'S bomb blasts in the Indian financial hub of Mumbai brought back disturbing memories of 2008's audacious terrorist attacks, in which militants held the city hostage for nearly four days. Though the damage done was thankfully not as great as in 2008, the three seemingly coordinated blasts claimed nearly 20 lives, while the number of injured was close to 150. The Indian government has yet to blame any group for the attack, while no outfit has claimed responsibility for the blasts. However, some suspect that the Indian Mujahideen, a home-grown outfit, may be responsible. Though there is no proven link yet, Wednesday's blasts occurred close to the anniversary of the July 11, 2006 Mumbai train bombings, in which the Students Islamic Movement of India, a group with links to the Indian Mujahideen, was suspected of involvement. It is welcome that India has not rushed to blame Pakistan for the attack, while both the Pakistan president and prime minister swiftly condemned the blasts.

Mumbai has seen its share of violence — communal and terrorist — over the past two decades. In March 1993, hundreds were killed and injured in bomb blasts in the aftermath of the Babri Mosque's demolition, while the city was struck by a series of explosions in 2003. Yet it was 2008's attacks that sent India-Pakistan relations into a deep freeze. Some sections of the Indian media have jumped the gun, immediately pointing the finger at Pakistan. Such vitriolic accusations are irresponsible in the post-Mumbai scenario. It is hoped New Delhi does not pursue a similar line without properly investigating the matter. Both governments must show restraint, channelling their energies towards fighting terrorism together. If credible links are indeed found to non-state actors in Pakistan — though there is no evidence of this at the moment — the Pakistani authorities must take action against the quarters concerned. The foreign ministers of both countries are due to meet in the coming weeks. Both states need to ensure that the meeting is unaffected and the peace process not derailed. Any setback would only work to the advantage of extremists on both sides.