NEW DELHI: Two intelligence inputs about possible terrorist strikes ahead of Republic Day has forced police to have a rethink on security. The first pertains to a joint strike by Lashkar and Indian Mujahideen with imported explosives, the second talks about an ambitious IM plan to storm special cell office in Lodhi Road and free their boss Yasin Bhatkal.
"ISI smuggled in a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives. Hizbul Mujahideen has already received a large consignment in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir," the Intelligence Bureau input reads.
The consignment has been passed on to LeT operatives in Delhi and Punjab, sources say, adding IB has not indicated where the strikes will happen. Nevertheless, police will deploy 200 spotters on the R-Day parade route and 15,000 personnel in New Delhi district.
The second input, a source said, says that absconding IM members Waqas and Tehsin alias Monu were planning to strike at special cell's office in Lodhi Road and try to free Yasin Bhatkal.
"ISI smuggled in a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives. Hizbul Mujahideen has already received a large consignment in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir," the Intelligence Bureau input reads.
The consignment has been passed on to LeT operatives in Delhi and Punjab, sources say, adding IB has not indicated where the strikes will happen. Nevertheless, police will deploy 200 spotters on the R-Day parade route and 15,000 personnel in New Delhi district.
The second input, a source said, says that absconding IM members Waqas and Tehsin alias Monu were planning to strike at special cell's office in Lodhi Road and try to free Yasin Bhatkal.
Tehsin Akhtar alias Monu, who belongs to Bihar and is part of the Darbhanga module of the outfit, is heading the outfit's India operations after Ahmed Siddibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal's arrest in August. Akhtar is wanted for several blasts including the Patna serial blasts, 2011 Mumbai and 2013 Hyderabad blasts. What's even worrying is that he cops have got to know that an IM veteran, Tauqeer, who has disappeared in the last few years, has been handling the groups' operations alongwith Monu.
Following the input, three tier security comprising SWAT commandos, CRPF and Nagaland Armed Police has been put in place around the premises. Cell has reason to believe that three or more operatives are still hiding in that region. Cell has arrested two of their operatives Mohammed Shahid and Rashid alias Kari from Mewat on their alleged link to the Lashhkar.
Kari had told police during interrogation that he had been contacted by the Lashkar operatives to carry out attacks in the capital before the Republic day. The cops are trying to ascertain if this cache of explosives was meant for these operatives.
The cell has also started gathering intelligence on movements in the explosive supply groups. Licenced traders in the city dealing in sale of ammonium nitrate have been sensitized to double check the antecedents of buyers.
Following the input, three tier security comprising SWAT commandos, CRPF and Nagaland Armed Police has been put in place around the premises. Cell has reason to believe that three or more operatives are still hiding in that region. Cell has arrested two of their operatives Mohammed Shahid and Rashid alias Kari from Mewat on their alleged link to the Lashhkar.
Kari had told police during interrogation that he had been contacted by the Lashkar operatives to carry out attacks in the capital before the Republic day. The cops are trying to ascertain if this cache of explosives was meant for these operatives.
The cell has also started gathering intelligence on movements in the explosive supply groups. Licenced traders in the city dealing in sale of ammonium nitrate have been sensitized to double check the antecedents of buyers.
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