Suspect anything, everything: Ministry Home Affairs

There is ample evidence of Pak-based Rohingya operators, with support from the ISI, are organising training camps in Bangladesh. Possibility of this group attempting to sabotage Republic Day celebrations cannot be ruled out

​Hyderabad: “Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed in loudspeakers and amplifiers may go off at public meetings during the Republic Day celebrations. Bombs disguised like torches, cameras, toys and even perfume bottles may also be used by terror groups to sabotage the Republic Day celebrations,” warned the Internal Security Wing of the Ministry Home Affairs (MHA).

In a secret circular issued to the heads of police forces of all states and security agencies, the Internal Security Wing cautioned, “Inputs indicate that Pak-based terrorist outfits were contemplating explosive-laden vehicle strike and concealing IEDs inside loudspeakers and amplifiers used during public events.”

The secret circular also says that the terrorist groups have come to notice for employing low or no-metal IEDs in executing suicide bombings to defeat anti-sabotage check systems. Besides, threat posed by sub-conventional flying objects will also need to be factored into the security arrangements, particularly in view of reported procurement of para-gliders and associated equipment by Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT).

The Internal Security Wing also warned the chiefs of police forces of all states that the LeT has been recruiting Sri Lankan Muslims and planning terror activities. Disclosures made by arrested Sri Lankan nationals had revealed about plans of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to carry out terror attacks in South India.

The alert sounded by the Internal Security Wing also says that explosives have already landed in the hands of unidentified operatives in Kerala, Ghaziabad and Haryana. About 10 operatives, mostly Maldivian nationals, would coordinate the attacks and the possible targets include unspecified tourist buses, crowded markets and a temple in Haryana.

The warning issued by Internal Security Wing also says that, “There is ample evidence of Pakistan based Rohingya operators, with support from the ISI, are financing as well as organising training camps in Bangladesh. Possibility of this group attempting to sabotage Republic Day Celebrations cannot be ruled out.”

Interestingly, hundreds or Rohingya refugees have been living in almost every major city in India, including Hyderabad, an intelligence officer told The Hans India.

“An input also indicates the possibility of terrorist attacks on air force stations in North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. It is also learnt that a group of LeT suicide squad has been assigned the task of carrying out fidayeen attack on Jammu airport. This squad may infiltrate from Samba sector,” the Internal Security Wing said in its circular.

Security personnel on duty should be briefed about the changing terrorist tactics and suitable countermeasures. Robust access control measures and identity verification should be put in place to thwart the threat posed by impersonation, misuse of vehicle parking labels, beacon lights and security forces uniforms and identity cards, the Internal Security Wing asked state police chiefs.