Rajasthan: ISIS painted on Mahatma Gandhi statue; threats of attack on Republic Day

A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Mozmabad area of Dudu in Rajasthan's Jaipur district was found vandalised on the eve of Republic Day. The slogan, "ISIS zindabad", along with a terror threat, was painted on it. 

"26 January ko tabaahi ka manzar dekhne ko milega (You will witness a trail of terror on 26 January)," said the threat message with the name of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) painted on the statue.

ISI, the acronym of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, was also painted on the front part of the statue.

Angry residents shut all shops after the act of vandalisation came to light. A police team was sent to the scene immediately after the incident was reported. Subsequently, a Forensic Scientific Lab team and the district collector also reached the spot, according to Rajasthan Patrika.

Mahatma Gandhi's statue defaced in Dudu (Rajasthan), 'ISIS zindabad' scribbled on it. pic.twitter.com/mH6H3fRzfP

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 25, 2016

The incident took place even as terror threats loom over the nation in the run-up to the Republic Day celebrations on Tuesday and French President Francois Hollande's visit as the chief guest of the event in New Delhi.

The National Investigation Agency has made several arrests over the past few days as part of the crackdown against the Islamic State group.