An improvised explosive device was found in Punjab’s Amritsar district, where security agencies declared a high alert, warning of a possible terrorist attack by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba in Delhi.
This is the fourth device found in northern India in the past four days, as three similar explosive devices were found and spread in the Ganderbal, Bandipora and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
While the authorities did not link the discovery of the explosive device to the warning of a terrorist plot, the timing of the incidents raised concern.
in Punjab, An explosive device was found in a suspicious bag near Raya police station in Amritsar on Friday. Police said that a bomb disposal team moved to the scene and defused the explosive device.
SSP Sohail Qasim Mir told India Today: “A suspicious bag was spotted near the police alley. Immediately, the bomb disposal squad was called and they confirmed that it was an explosive device. Later, as per protocol, it was defused.”
Another explosive device was found in Savapura in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, also on Saturday. The Army and Police Bomb Detection Squad (BDS) detected and dismantled the explosive device within hours.
The explosive device found in Ganderbal It is the third device of its kind that has spread in northern Kashmir within days. One of them was found and spread in Bandipora on Thursday, and another spread in Patan, Baramulla.
Delhi is on high alert due to inputs of Lashkar-e-Taiba conspiracy
These IEDs were found at a time when the national capital, Delhi, was on high alert as of Saturday, February 21. Following specific intelligence reports regarding terrorist attacks planned by the banned Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The threat revolves around religious sites, with a temple in the Chandni Chowk area near the famous Red Fort identified as a potential target.
News agencies quoted sources as saying that the terrorist group was seeking “revenge” for the February 6 suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. This explosion claimed the lives of at least 31 people.
Pakistan had previously indicated foreign involvement in the Islamabad blast, an allegation categorically denied by India. In a statement issued earlier this month, India noted, “It is unfortunate that instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan must choose to deceive itself by blaming others for its internal ills. India rejects any such allegation, which is as baseless as it is meaningless.”
Specific threats of IED attacks
Intelligence sources provided specific details about the possible strike. At least two senior Delhi Police officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly said that the first set of inputs regarding these threats were received ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.
While this initial input was later evaluated, new specific intelligence received on Saturday indicates that an IED attack is being planned.
