A terror alert has reportedly been sounded for Delhi over threats of attack plans by Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), targeting religious places, particularly a temple near the Red Fort, to avenge a recent blast in Islamabad.
At least two senior Delhi Police officers, who asked not to be identified, told HT that the first set of inputs regarding terror attacks by LeT in Delhi, especially at religious places, were received before the Republic Day celebrations. Accordingly, a high alert was sounded across the city and security arrangements in and around religious establishments were increased. The first meeting of Special Cell officers took place around the time the terror attack alerts were received, during which they planned the security apparatus and other anti-terror measures to tackle possible attacks.
The officers said similar terror threat inputs were received after the February 6 suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, which claimed at least 31 lives and left dozens injured.
Meanwhile, specific intelligence inputs, reported by ANI and PTI on Saturday, suggested that the group may be plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) attack and that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be a potential target.
Sources further indicated that the outfit is allegedly seeking to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad and may be planning a major strike in India, the reports added.
"Blast alert in front of the Red Fort in Delhi. Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk. Lashkar-e-Taiba is plotting an IED attack. They are planning a major terrorist attack in India to avenge the February 6 mosque blast in Islamabad, Pakistan. Major temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba," the report quoted intelligence sources as saying.
The inputs hinted at possible similar terror attacks on temples around Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, the officers said on condition of anonymity. Since Mahashivratri was around the corner, Special Cell officers held a second meeting on the matter and decided to intensify security at religious structures across the city, mainly Lord Shiva temples and places where Mahashivratri celebrations were being organised.
A DCP-rank officer, along with trained commandos and other Special Cell officials, remained present in and around the Gauri Shankar temple in Chandni Chowk on February 15 as part of the city police's heightened security arrangements, the officers said.
"Although both inputs were later declared inconsequential, heightened security arrangements across the city are continuing in view of the ongoing AI Summit. Delhi is always on high alert as it figures among the possible targets for terror attacks in intelligence inputs," one of the officers said.
While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, PTI reported, quoting officials.
Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks, and the deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads, and quick reaction teams have also been placed on standby at strategic locations, they added.
This comes a month after intelligence agencies reportedly issued an alert warning that Khalistani terrorist organisations and Bangladesh-based terror outfits may attempt to target Delhi and several other cities across the country ahead of Republic Day (January 26).
An intelligence alert had flagged increasing activity of Punjab-based gangsters who are purportedly acting as foot soldiers for Khalistani and radical handlers operating from abroad, news agency ANI reported in January.
(With inputs from IANS)
