Indian PM Manmohan Singh has said his government is considering legislation to strengthen laws to combat attacks by militant groups.

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Though police have issued sketches of three men they believe to be suspects, there have been no arrests.

Since late 2005, more than 400 people have died in bombings at Indian cities.

India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party seeks the reinstatement of a tough anti-terrorism law it pushed when it was in power.

The governing Congress party scrapped the law saying it was misused to harass Muslims.

Mr Singh told a meeting of state governors that the government was considering strengthening what he described as "substantive" existing laws to fight militant attacks.

"We are actively considering legislation to strengthen the substantive anti-terrorism law in line with the global consensus on the fight against terrorism," he said.

'Vast gaps'

He said India's intelligence and security agencies have been successful in thwarting a number of militant attacks.

"But as the recent blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat and Delhi indicate, there are still vast gaps in intelligence. These need to be overcome," he said.

Mr Singh said the government had reports that "certain Pakistan-based groups are constantly seeking to set up new terrorist modules" in India.

"This is a matter of utmost concern. We have increased vigilance on our borders. But in view of the growing involvement of local elements, this is not enough," he said.

Separately, the federal cabinet met on Wednesday night to discuss ways of tackling militant attacks.

The government considered measures to strengthen anti-terror laws at the meeting, reports say.

A federal government panel has recommended tougher laws to fight attacks by militant groups.

"We need a comprehensive anti-terror law, but there should be adequate safeguards," senior politician and panel chief, Veerappa Moily, said.

Five bombs went off in busy areas of Delhi in the latest incident over the weekend.

Two of the blasts hit Connaught Place - a financial and commercial centre - while two more hit the upmarket shopping district of Greater Kailash.

A fifth ripped through a busy electronics and automobile components market.

An e-mail purportedly from a group calling itself the Indian Mujahideen claimed it carried out the attacks, adding: "Stop us if you can."

The same group has claimed responsibility for two other recent bomb attacks in Jaipur and Bangalore.

(BBC)

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