‘Qaida may hit Delhi soon’
US Warns India Of Strikes On City, Mumbai Before I-Day
It’s Code Red. The Centre on Friday raised the terror alert level to “high” after US intelligence confirmed its own assessment about a terror plot to target New Delhi and Mumbai in the run-up to Independence Day.
US intelligence tipped off the government here about the plans of foreign terrorists, including possibly members of Al-Qaida, to “carry out a series of bombing attacks in or around New Delhi and Mumbai in the days leading up to I-Day’’. The tip-off, which also prompted the US authorities to ask American nationals in India to keep a low profile, mentioned that terrorists could strike between August 11 and 16.
The hit list drawn up by the terrorists, US agencies said, includes airports, key central government offices and major gathering places such as hotels and markets.
While Union home secretary V K Duggal chose to underplay the US tip-off, calling it innocuous and a matter between the US and its citizens, a massive security upgrade was underway. In fact, US intelligence fully tallied with India’s own estimate about a probable jehadi plot to attack sensitive targets around Independence Day.
NSG commandos have been rushed to Kalpakkam atomic plant in Tamil Nadu, the third nuclear energy facility after the Kaiga plant in Maharashtra and BARC complex in Mumbai, to figure among the ‘A’ list targets of jehadis.
The threat was considered to be more potent for Mumbai. Top officials here conceded that with masterminds of 7/11 attacks on suburban trains still at large, the financial capital remained vulnerable to a fresh terror strike.
The threat is considered serious enough for the home ministry to discuss counter-terror measures with Maharashtra chief secretary D K Sankaran, state police chief P S Pasricha and ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi twice in a week.
THE THREAT
US has told Indian govt that Al-Qaida is likely to target Delhi and Mumbai, as well as their suburbs Threat highest until Aug 16 Possible targets could be airports, govt offices, malls, markets, hotels and key installations like N-power plants
THE RESPONSE
New layers of security added at airports, markets, hotels, Rly stations, N-plants Air travel becomes more problematic. You need to report 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights, 3 hrs for international. Check-ins to stop 30 mins before departure Only one hand baggage allowed for both domestic and foreign flights. No hand baggage in flights to UK or transiting UK You can carry either laptop or hand baggage. No duty-free purchases on board Mobiles permitted on person on flights, except to UK and transiting UK Women can carry their purse in addition to one hand baggage, but purse can’t have any cosmetics, gels, shampoos, nail paints, lipsticks or lotions Baby food, including milk, allowed only if infant is travelling. Liquids, water, beverages, contact lens solutions, chocolate, perfumes banned Gent wallets, keys and medicines (with prescription) allowed
ELSEWHERE
UK identifies 19 suspects, orders their assets to be frozen Pakistan arrests 17 for aiding plot
HI-TECH ALERT: A bomb disposal squad member at Mumbai’s international airport
DOGGED EFFORT: Security checks were intensified in airports around the world
US Warns India Of Strikes On City, Mumbai Before I-Day
It’s Code Red. The Centre on Friday raised the terror alert level to “high” after US intelligence confirmed its own assessment about a terror plot to target New Delhi and Mumbai in the run-up to Independence Day.
US intelligence tipped off the government here about the plans of foreign terrorists, including possibly members of Al-Qaida, to “carry out a series of bombing attacks in or around New Delhi and Mumbai in the days leading up to I-Day’’. The tip-off, which also prompted the US authorities to ask American nationals in India to keep a low profile, mentioned that terrorists could strike between August 11 and 16.
The hit list drawn up by the terrorists, US agencies said, includes airports, key central government offices and major gathering places such as hotels and markets.
While Union home secretary V K Duggal chose to underplay the US tip-off, calling it innocuous and a matter between the US and its citizens, a massive security upgrade was underway. In fact, US intelligence fully tallied with India’s own estimate about a probable jehadi plot to attack sensitive targets around Independence Day.
NSG commandos have been rushed to Kalpakkam atomic plant in Tamil Nadu, the third nuclear energy facility after the Kaiga plant in Maharashtra and BARC complex in Mumbai, to figure among the ‘A’ list targets of jehadis.
The threat was considered to be more potent for Mumbai. Top officials here conceded that with masterminds of 7/11 attacks on suburban trains still at large, the financial capital remained vulnerable to a fresh terror strike.
The threat is considered serious enough for the home ministry to discuss counter-terror measures with Maharashtra chief secretary D K Sankaran, state police chief P S Pasricha and ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi twice in a week.
THE THREAT
US has told Indian govt that Al-Qaida is likely to target Delhi and Mumbai, as well as their suburbs Threat highest until Aug 16 Possible targets could be airports, govt offices, malls, markets, hotels and key installations like N-power plants
THE RESPONSE
New layers of security added at airports, markets, hotels, Rly stations, N-plants Air travel becomes more problematic. You need to report 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights, 3 hrs for international. Check-ins to stop 30 mins before departure Only one hand baggage allowed for both domestic and foreign flights. No hand baggage in flights to UK or transiting UK You can carry either laptop or hand baggage. No duty-free purchases on board Mobiles permitted on person on flights, except to UK and transiting UK Women can carry their purse in addition to one hand baggage, but purse can’t have any cosmetics, gels, shampoos, nail paints, lipsticks or lotions Baby food, including milk, allowed only if infant is travelling. Liquids, water, beverages, contact lens solutions, chocolate, perfumes banned Gent wallets, keys and medicines (with prescription) allowed
ELSEWHERE
UK identifies 19 suspects, orders their assets to be frozen Pakistan arrests 17 for aiding plot
HI-TECH ALERT: A bomb disposal squad member at Mumbai’s international airport
DOGGED EFFORT: Security checks were intensified in airports around the world
