LeT, SIMI working with Pak to disrupt Republic Day celebrations

New Delhi, Dec 5: The Central Intelligence Bureau has alerted the Delhi police against a possible attack on the outskirts of Delhi ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

The alert is being taken extremely seriously as the parade this year would have Barack Obama, President of the United States as the Chief Guest.

The alert states that both the Laskhar-e-Tayiba and the Students Islamic Movement of India are attempting to target the Republic Day celebrations.

Although security would be at its best, the groups would still try and convey a message to the Indian and also the American agencies.

Both the Lashkar and the SIMI have been vocal about the interference of the Americans in various countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan and an attack is being planned in a bid to convey a message.

Sources in the Intelligence Bureau say that not just Delhi, but the alert has been issued to neighbouring states as well. The intent is to convey a message as these groups will find it extremely difficult to penetrate into the security especially around the Republic Day parade.

An attack if carried out in the neighbouring areas of any part of the country on that day itself is a major embarrassment since it will question the credibility of the security agencies especially when the President of the United States is visiting India.

Alert has been issued to neighbouring states as well

The biggest challenge however for the Indian agencies is the SIMI. They are a splinter group today which is relying heavily on the lone wolf terror concept.

The group has five members on the run. These five who escaped from the Khandwa jail in Madhya Pradesh have been notorious and indulged in the Chennai train blasts and also a series of robberies.

Although they have not struck big as yet, an attack on an important day such as Republic Day especially when an important foreign dignitary is in the country would give them the moral boost.

This is something that the Indian agencies just do not want at this moment.

The Lashkar on the other hand has the capability of striking big. With the ISI and the Lashkar attempting to launch Sikh Militancy with an intent of targeting Delhi and Punjab this alert for the Republic Day becomes all the more important, an IB official pointed out.