Delhi on high alert over LeT's terror plan to 'avenge' Pak mosque blast

AThreat qui vive has reportedly been sounded for new delhi o'er threat of assail plans by Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targeting religious places, particularly a temple near 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, high alert was sounded across the city and security arrangements in and around religious establishments were increased. The first meeting of special cell officers happened around the time the terror attack alerts were received, planning the security apparatus and other anti-terror measures to tackle possible attacks.The officers said that similar terror attack threat inputs were received after the February 6 suicide bombing attack in a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s Islamabad that claimed at least 31 people and left dozens injured.Meanwhile, specific intelligence inputs, reported by ANI and PTI news agencies 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 cited further indicated that the outfit is allegedly seeking to avenge a February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, 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 6th mosque blast in Islamabad, Pakistan. Major temples in the country can be targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba," the report quoted Intelligence sources as saying.Security uppedThe inputs hinted possible similar terror attacks on temples around Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, the officers who spoke on condition of anonymity. Since Mahashivratri was around the corner, the special cell officers held their second meeting over the matter and decided to intensify security at religious structures across the city, mainly Lord Shiva temples and places were events regarding Mahashivratri celebrations were organised. A DCP-rank officer along with trained commandos and other special cell officials remained present in and around 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 later were 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 reflects 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 also reported, quoting officials.Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and 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.January terror alertThis 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."Ahead of January 26, intelligence agencies have 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," the agency quoted Intelligence sources on January 17.HT was unable to independently verify the information."According to the intelligence alert, Punjab-based gangsters are increasingly acting as foot soldiers for Khalistani and radical handlers operating from abroad. These handlers are allegedly using criminal networks to further their agendas and disrupt internal security," the above-mentioned sources had said.The alert stated that these gangsters are active across Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the sources said, adding that they are "gradually establishing links with Khalistani terrorist elements."The security alerts come months after the Red Fort blast in which a car exploded near the iconic monment, leaving over a dozen dead. The incident later exposed a massive terror module.