Terrorists planning attack on Independence Day? Home Ministry issues high alert

New Delhi, Aug 12: The Union Home Ministry has issued a security alert, days ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, to all states where there is a possibility of terror attacks. Special focus is on Delhi, Mumbai, and the border states of Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat.

As per an India Today report, "The home ministry warned that terror groups like SIMI, Indian Mujahideen (IM), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Tahrik-e-Furqan (TeF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pasban-e-Ahle Hadis (PAH) are planning to target important installations in the country.

Intelligence Bureau (IB) have intercepted several conversations where handlers from across border were heard giving directions to attack Army and other security forces' camps and convoys. MHA alert also said that for the first time ISI has given the responsibility to LeT to coordinate with all other terror groups. Recently, there has been a spate of terror attacks by LeT trained militants in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab."

A massive security alert has also been sounded in four northeastern states after separatist rebels announced a boycott of Independence Day celebrations on August 15, a home ministry official said on Tuesday.

"We are aware that they (rebels) will be making attempts to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, we have placed security forces on high alert to thwart the rebels," the official said.

Four frontline separatist groups in the region have called for a boycott of Independence Day and also a general strike from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 15.

Rebel groups in the northeast have for years boycotted national events and staged violent attacks in the run-up to the celebrations.

"We are on full alert and shall see to it that we are able to foil any attempts by rebels to attack," an Assam Rifles official said.

The four rebel groups announced their boycott through a joint statement e-mailed to several media houses.

The call has been given by the United National Liberation Front of WESEA (UNLFW) -- a front comprising the Myanmar-based National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation and Coordination Committee (CorCom) [an umbrella organisation of major separatist outfits fighting for an independent state for the majority Metei community in Manipur].

Thousands of army, police and paramilitary troopers were on standby in other northeastern states to ensure that militants are not able to indulge in violence ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, particularly in Manipur.

"Flushing out operations are on to nab the rebels who are attempting to disrupt Independence Day celebrations. Police across Manipur have been put on high alert and we are determined to thwart any subversive activity by the militants," Manipur's Inspector General of Police Clay Khongsai said.

Rebel groups often target vital infrastructure like road and rail bridges, oil installations and security forces.

The Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) have deployed additional forces to step up vigil on the Indo-Pakistan border along in Jammu and Kashmir. The Army has deployed an additional fifty thousand troops along the border.

An alert was also sounded in the four northeastern states after separatist rebels announced a boycott of Independence Day celebrations, a home ministry official said on Tuesday. Four frontline separatist groups in the region have called for a boycott of Independence Day and also a general strike from 12 am to 6 pm on August 15.

Thousands of army, police and paramilitary troopers were on standby in other northeastern states to ensure that militants are not able to indulge in violence ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, particularly in Manipur.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)