IB warns of Nice-style lone wolf attacks ahead of Diwali

Terrorist group may be looking to hit major cities across India by slipping in infiltrators or by activating sympathisers.

Bengaluru, Oct 18: The Intelligence Bureau has issued an alert warning of Nice-style lone wolf attacks ahead of the festival season in India. Terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, which suffered heavy casualties in the surgical strikes the Indian Army carried out across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last month, may take a leaf out of the Islamic State playbook to inspire what may look like lone wolf attacks in major Indian cities, the intelligence bureau has warned.

IB officials also say that the strike could be carried out by an infiltrator or a sympathiser of the groups who could be activated to strike during the festival season.

Militants from Kashmir, too, could slip into other parts of the country and attempt strikes. The IB has been picking up chatter from various terrorists groups that are looking to carry out a major attack.

The IB has taken note of the several ceasefire violations being reported from the border, which is nothing but cover fire being provided by the Pakistan army to aid infiltrations into India, giving rise to fears that terrorist groups are preparing for a major attack.

Only a week ago, the Intelligence Bureau had issued an alert stating that militants from Jammu and Kashmir are likely to carry out an attack on the Red Fort in Delhi.

While it was stated a few days back that militants may try and target the Parliament, too, the IB says that Red Fort is high on the terrorists' radar.

An attack on the Red Fort, where the National Flag is hoisted on Independence Day, would be of major symbolic significance.

Following this alert, a team of National Security Guards had been moved into the Red Fort. There have been at least two security breaches at the Red Fort in the past two weeks. This has led to enhanced security.

The Red Fort has been attacked in the past, too. In 2000, militants of the Lashkar-e-Taiba had struck and killed two soldiers and one civilian. Moreover, it is situated closer to the highway and there is a lot of movement in this area which often goes unnoticed.

Militants in Jammu and Kashmir have been resorting to highway attacks because of lesser security. In J&K, the targets have always been the army convoys. Terrorists will look to replicate the same in other parts of the country, too, Intelligence Bureau officials have warned.

OneIndia News