New Delhi: As the threat from Pakistan-based terror groups looms large ahead of Independence Day, security agencies have warned against a possible sea-borne or air-borne attack using paragliders at vital installations and key locations like the BJP offices, and have asked all the police forces to remain alert.
Cautioning against a possible influx of terrorists, like the 26/11 attack, the home ministry has cautioned that the terrorists might use the air route to strike to attack sensitive locations.
Days after the terror attack in Gurdaspur, a ministry advisory forewarns that an input received in September last year claims that Al-Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS) has been planning to target BJP offices, commercial, tourist, religious, aviation and railway infrastructure in various states.
The possible targets could be Lotus Temple, Malls in Noida, Metro Stations, Red Fort and political personalities, the security agencies have warned.
In its communication to all the forces and state police the Ministry has cited an April 16 input suggesting that AQIS was actively engaged in planning attack against India at Indian Naval facilities and other unsecured waterfronts as potential target.
“In this regard the Southern Naval Command in Kochi (INS Venduruthy), Western Naval Command in Mumbai and the Naval base in Karwar (INS Kadamba) could be targeted,” it said adding that Gujarat may also be targeted.
“To counter threat from remote pilotless vehicles, remote controlled aircraft, para gliders and hang gliders, open grounds and spaces, abandoned air strips etc allowing lift off or launching pads for these flying objects need to be identified and suitably secured by patrolling and deploying of security forces. “Checks of flying/gliding clubs may be carried out to rule out use of aero modules by hostile elements,” it said.
According to another uncorroborated input the ISI has “plan to hijack/ explode Air India flights operating in Kabul-Delhi sector as they are being used by senior Indian officials,’’ the sources said.
The MHA advisory also recalls the several terror incidents in the past including serial blasts in Patna in 2013 targeting election rally of Narendra Modi where the agencies found a direct link to Pakistan based terrorist groups and their Indian affiliates like the Indian Mujahideen and members of ex-SIMI.
