A terror alert has reportedly been triggered in Delhi due to the threat of an attack plan by Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba on a temple near the Red Fort in Chandni Chowk.
Intelligence, reported by news agency ANI, suggests that the group may have been planning an IED attack and that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be a possible target.
The report added that the sources also indicated that the group is seeking revenge for a February 6 explosion at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, and may be planning a major attack in India.
The report quoted intelligence sources as saying: “Explosion alert in front of the Red Fort in Delhi. Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk. Lashkar-e-Taiba is planning an IED attack. They are planning a major terror attack in India in retaliation for the February 6 mosque blast in Islamabad, Pakistan. Lashkar-e-Taiba could target major temples in the country.”
This comes a month after intelligence agencies issued a warning that Khalistani terror organizations and Bangladesh-based terrorist groups may try to target Delhi and several other cities across the country ahead of Republic Day (January 26).
In January, ANI reported that an intelligence alert indicated increased activity by gang members in Punjab who were allegedly acting as Khalistani soldiers and extremist handlers operating from abroad.
“Before January 26, intelligence agencies issued a warning that Khalistani terrorist organizations and terrorist groups based in Bangladesh may try to target Delhi and several other cities across the country,” the agency quoted intelligence sources on January 17.
HT was unable to independently verify the information.
“According to the intelligence alert, gangsters in Punjab are increasingly acting as soldiers for Khalistani and extremist dealers operating from abroad. These dealers are allegedly using criminal networks to further their agendas and disrupt internal security,” the above sources said.
The warning stated that these gangsters are active in the states of Haryana, Delhi, National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, sources said, adding that they are “gradually establishing links with Khalistani terrorist elements”.
The security alerts come months after the Red Fort blast, in which a car exploded near the famous monument, killing more than a dozen people. The incident later revealed a huge terrorist unit.
