Bangalore, March 05: Abu Jandal, a key Lashkare- Taiba operative, is said to have planned terror strikes in India during the World Cup matches in various cities, including Bangalore.
Ministry of Home Affairs and the Intelligence Bureau have issued an alert directing the home departments of the states to upgrade security where World Cup matches are being held. The alert also called for stringent arrangements at entry points like frisking and keeping a tab on material taken into the stadium.
According to officials of the investigating agency, Jandal, an expert in chemical explosives, may carry out attacks using chemical composition improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
According to a senior police official, alerts have reached the state Home Department and the security to Chinnaswamy Stadium where India face Ireland on Sunday, would be strengthened.
The name of Jandal came up during interrogation of Sabahuddin, the Indian Institute of Science attacker.
His name was earlier mentioned in the train blast case in Mumbai.
Jandal is a former member of al-Qaeda and former chief bodyguard of Osama bin Laden. He is a Saudi citizen of Yemeni descent.
—Agencies