In a worrying development for the government, foreign intelligence agencies have warned that 6-15 members of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module, guided by Pakistan-based terror mastermind Zabiuddin Ansari , may have entered the country to carry out blasts at ICC World Cup venues. Another part of the module, comprising terrorists hailing from Pakistan?s Punjab and equipped in maritime training, could take the sea route to enter India through the western coast.
The inputs, received from a leading western intelligence agency a week ago, were shared with all the coastal states and the police authorities in cities hosting the World Cup, leading to stepped up surveillance along the coast and at the cricket venues . According to the terror inputs , an LeT group, headed by Zabiuddin Ansari, had in October 2010 researched information on explosive chemicals and details regarding the eight ICC World Cup venues.
The Centre?s advisory, sent to the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on March 3, points out that Pakistan-based Ansari and his extremist associates had in October 2010 researched information on explosive chemicals and processes used in manufacture of detonators and explosives, household items that can be used as chemicals , as well as all the eight ICC World Cup venues.
The Centre, which followed up the inputs with at least four advisories to the states, has alerted all coastal and maritime agencies to look out for any suspicious vessels. Security at all major seaports and offshore installations, including oil refineries , has also been stepped up. The foreign agency, which is taking the intelligence inputs seriously , indicated that some members of the operational cell, tasked with carrying out terror attacks in India, may have already entered the country, possibly through the Nepal route.
Other Al Qaeda operatives ? described as Urdu-speaking men from Punjab ? could travel to India via boat soon and will possibly be well-acquainted with maritime travel to reach their targets in quick time. The infiltration point may be either Maharashtra or Gujarat. Incidentally, both Mumbai and Ahmedabad are ICC World Cup venues.
The inputs, received from a leading western intelligence agency a week ago, were shared with all the coastal states and the police authorities in cities hosting the World Cup, leading to stepped up surveillance along the coast and at the cricket venues . According to the terror inputs , an LeT group, headed by Zabiuddin Ansari, had in October 2010 researched information on explosive chemicals and details regarding the eight ICC World Cup venues.
The Centre?s advisory, sent to the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on March 3, points out that Pakistan-based Ansari and his extremist associates had in October 2010 researched information on explosive chemicals and processes used in manufacture of detonators and explosives, household items that can be used as chemicals , as well as all the eight ICC World Cup venues.
The Centre, which followed up the inputs with at least four advisories to the states, has alerted all coastal and maritime agencies to look out for any suspicious vessels. Security at all major seaports and offshore installations, including oil refineries , has also been stepped up. The foreign agency, which is taking the intelligence inputs seriously , indicated that some members of the operational cell, tasked with carrying out terror attacks in India, may have already entered the country, possibly through the Nepal route.
Other Al Qaeda operatives ? described as Urdu-speaking men from Punjab ? could travel to India via boat soon and will possibly be well-acquainted with maritime travel to reach their targets in quick time. The infiltration point may be either Maharashtra or Gujarat. Incidentally, both Mumbai and Ahmedabad are ICC World Cup venues.
