On 20-Mar-1995, 15 points in the Tokyo subway stations were chosen for a multi-point terrorist attack. There were 12 casualties, with at least 3800 affected. More than 400 were hospitalised on that day. This was the first time when a covert and surprise attack sprung in with the use of chemical agents. The cult had also attempted laboratory tests with other toxins including Anthrax, Botulin and even a strain of the Ebola virus. The motive for the second attack remains unknown to the present day. But, murder particularly 'mass murder' was on their agenda. The cult had also allegedly murdered members (of the Sakomoto family) who wanted to revoke membership. The leader of the cult, Asahara denied any involvement in the terrorising event and remains silent.
Aum Shinrikyo has had several overseas branches: a Sri Lanka branch, small branches in New York City, United States and Bonn, Germany. The group also had several centers in Moscow, Russia. The cult remains under surveillance (originally for a period of 3 years after the attack, later extended to 6 years since Jan-2000). They are still considered to be a threat. What their attack points out is the scale of threat posed by any organisation. The organisation in concern, here, a religious cult, was able to amass funds in tens of millions of dollars and siphon them for a purpose to which they offered no explanation.