Intelligence Bureau alert on communal tension likelihood by anti-social groups

New Delhi: The Intelligence Bureau has warned that “groups and elements supportive of extremist ideology similar to Al-Qaeda” are trying to “increase communal tension” in states like J&K, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi.

The intelligence report (reference no-3627-60 & 3698- 3731/C&R Cell-C-2/SII), which is in possession of this newspaper, has reiterated that Al- Qaeda chief Ayman-al-Zawahari, who launched a new branch for the Indian sub-continent, also intends to target commercial centres, tourist destinations, religious places, aviation sector, railways infrastructure and BJP offices in various states, including West Bengal and Assam. The report has been dispatched to all state police agencies.

The report said that the Al-Qaeda had launched the new branch with the intention to spread “Islamic rule” and “raise the flag of jihad” across the sub-continent. “Groups and elements supportive of extremists ideology similar to Al-Qaeda may try to increase communal tensions in the areas which are sensitive from this angle.”

The IB said there could be a push by “such elements/ groups” towards “recruitment of Indian nationals from Muslim community” in several states. “Apart from commercial, tourist, religious, aviation and railway infrastructure, such groups/ individuals can also target the office of the BJP in various places.”

The intelligence agency said that it was also assessed that Pak-based terrorist planners could always exploit the presence of yet “undetected operatives” of various groups like Lashkar-e-Toaiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Indian Mujahideen for conducting “terrorist attacks in India.”

“The cadre of these groups are susceptible to the extreme Islamic ideology and therefore could be utilized relatively and easily and in a cost effective manner by such Pak-based planners,” it said.