NSG warns of multi-city attack in India by IS and al-Qaeda

New Delhi: The elite National Security Guards has warned that with terror outfits like al-Qaeda and Islamic State joining forces, a “multi-city multiple attack” on India was “more than a possibility”.

NSG director-general J.N. Choudhury said on Thursday such an attack couldn’t be ruled out as they may find “allies” in like-minded outfits like Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, which already have a presence and activity in India”.

He said the NSG was working with anti-terrorist forces and state police units to keep at bay such threats.

A concerned home ministry has made a fresh proposal to register an over-arching case against IS — to ban it and crack down on its activities in India. A new dossier that has been prepared by the intelligence agencies claims there are at least 20 Indians across the world who may have already joined IS.

The home ministry’s move comes soon after some recent incidents where IS flags were displayed in Jammu and Kashmir.

“A final view is yet to be taken at the highest level in the government on whether a case will be registered against ISIS. But all agencies are closely monitoring the outfit’s activities and its possible ramifications in the country,” a senior official said.

If the government clears it, the case will be registered by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the UN convention on terrorism against IS for brainwashing people.

The MHA will not allow the NIA to name ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the “open case”, that will limit itself to the outfit’s attempts to recruit Indian youth.

Top sources said the move will put in place a legal framework which can then specifically focus on the return of the radicalised youth who have travelled outside the country to fight with IS.

There have been conflicting views within the government and security establishment of acting against ISIS since a section believes that any action against IS may threaten the security and safety of the Indian workers in Iraq who may come under cloud.

However, another section, particularly the security agencies want the home ministry to step in.

The MHA may now ask the NIA to register an FIR.