 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Such advisories are being issued in the wake of several reports by intelligence agencies against the rising threat in India from terrorist organisations.
Sources in the Intelligence Bureau told rediff.com that the threat perception in India is still very high, but thanks to upgradation of the security system, it would be very difficult for terror groups from across the border to carry out a terror strike in India.
In the year 2009, outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Tayiba kept a low-profile intentionally, since there has been a shake up to their infrastructure post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The IB says that the year 2010 will be an important year, since terror groups which have been bogged down for so long are desperate to strike back.
The main threat that India would face from terrorist groups is a coordinated one by the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the Al Qaeda. While the Taliban and the Al Qaeda have changed their strategy against India, the Lashkar militants would largely be involved in the logistic part that would be involved during the attack.
IB sources say that the shift in policy towards India comes following the growing ties between India and the US. Moreover, the Al Qaeda and the Taliban feels that India is interfering too much in Afghanistan and only a strike would send across a clear message.
What they plan in 2010? IB sources say that the Taliban has already drawn up plans with the Al Qaeda to strike the western cities in India.
The attacks would largely focus on hitting out at foreigners within India, apart from causing great damage to the Indian economy. It has been said several times in the past that Al Qaeda's commander, Ilyas Kashmiri, who heads the 313 brigade is training fidayeens (suicide bombers) for this task.
Apart from this, the Lashkar is also planning a series of attacks on the Indian soil. Intelligence warnings would indicate that this time around, the outfit would be looking to hit at targets which would destabilise the country to a large extent. Hydro projects and power grids are something that they are planning to hit.
The Lashkar will also be looking to revive militancy in Punjab in a bid to fulfill their longstanding promise towards the Babbar Khalsa. Both these outfits are working together on the Pakistan soil, and efforts are being made to revive militancy in this region. The two outfits attempted to carry out a strike in Punjab during the previous general elections, but the plans were foiled by the Indian security agencies.
At present, the Babbar Khalsa has already commenced its process to infiltrate terrorists into the Indian soil so that attacks could be carried out.
The arrest of American national and terror operative David Coleman Headley too reveals a deadly plan by the Lashkar to carry out spectacular attacks on Indian soil. His arrest has made it evident that the Lashkar and the Al Qaeda were planning big attacks in India and in this regard, he, alongwith Canadian national of Pakistani origin and terror suspect Tahawwur Rana were asked to survey various targets in India.
Currently, there are nearly 44 camps operating in Pakistan which are set up to exclusively to target India. IB sources say that of the 44 camps, 36 are active and are prepared to strike at any given time. The rest of the camps have been placed on stand by mode. The worrying part is that there are 2,400 militants who are housed in these camps and are awaiting orders to strike on Indian soil.