IB warns of terror attacks by LeT, IM

Hyderabad: The Intelligence Bureau has alerted the state about possible terror strikes by Indian Mujahideen and its parent organisation, the Lashkar e Tayyaba of Pakistan, during the 2014 election campaign.

As the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is scheduled to tour the state and as his threat perception is very high, the police is busy activating counter intelligence and security networks.

Following the confessions of IM operatives Yasin Bhatkal and Asadullah Akhtar that several terror modules of the IM are operating in the country, and inputs that LeT is planning attacks, the security agencies are on alert.

DGP B. Prasada Rao said, "We provide security to VIPs based on threat perception. For Mr Modi’s visit we are going to take all security measures. All VIPs will be given enough security during the election campaign. The ministry of home affairs gives us guidelines, and based on that security arrangements will be made."

Sources in the intelligence department said that Mr Modi is very high on the radar of Islamic terror networks. They also pointed to the recent statement of LeT’s Maulana Masood Azhar in Pakistan that around 313 suicide bombers are ready to strike in India.

A senior intelligence official said, "The state has already witnessed a suicide bombing in 2005 at the Task Force office by Bangladesh based HuJI. Now HuJI is inactive. The IM and LeT are the bigger threats."

According to NIA, the IM has set up five major modules in Darbhanga, Ranchi, Samastipur, Goa and Mangalore. The Mangalore module of the Indian Mujahideen is said to be focusing on Hyderabad and other cities in Andhra Pradesh.