New Delhi, August 07: With nearly a week to go for Independence Day celebrations, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad are said to be facing high level threat perception from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, sources in the Home Ministry said on Thursday.
“Matter of concern”
The sources said it was a “matter of concern” for the Ministry as well as the security establishment as specific intelligence inputs suggested that the three cities, including the National Capital, were high on the Lashkar’s radar ahead of Independence Day.
The Ministry is learnt to have apprised the State governments of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and the government of the national capital territory of Delhi about the heightened threat perception and advised them to put their security apparatus in a state of “high alert.”
While stressing that there was no need to press the panic button, the sources said terrorists usually targeted public places such as markets, malls and cinema halls.
“All necessary steps are being taken. People should also remain vigilant and be watchful,” the sources said.
Infiltration
An increase in infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir in the recent months and Islamabad’s failure to keep such elements at bay were indicators that strict action was not being taken by Pakistan against terror elements there, the sources said.
“Otherwise, how can it be possible that such elements dig 400 to 500 metre long tunnel from across the border in Jammu region,” the sources said citing an example.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram has lauded the efforts of para-military forces, Jammu and Kashmir police and intelligence agencies for ensuring peaceful and smooth completion of the nearly two-month long Amarnath Yatra.
–Agencies–