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The enemy is at the gates. After Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahari announced the formation of a wing in the Indian subcontinent, the security establishment in New Delhi has sounded an alert identifying vital installations, cities and individuals that could be potential targets for the terror network.
Among the potential targets shortlisted by intelligence agencies are Bangalore airport and IT companies in the city, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Kanpur, and strategic installations in Karnataka like the Kaiga Atomic Power Plant and Tungbhadra power plant, as well as Karwar port.
A note prepared by intelligence agencies, accessed by Mail Today, says the specific reference to Kashmir, Gujarat and Assam in the video featuring Zawahiri is an indication of Al Qaeda’s plans to launch terror strikes using the Jamiat Qaedat al-Jihad Fi Shibh al-Qarrat al-Hindiya, or Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.
“The fact that the new group was announced by Zawahari himself indicates its importance. In recent weeks, some inputs had also suggested that such an announcement was imminent, lending credibility to this video,” the note says.
After the video was released on September 4, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said intelligence agencies were working to establish its authenticity.
Sources say now that its credibility has been established, the threat is being taken seriously, and this information has been shared with states.
“It is requested that all concerned be suitably briefed and sensitised about the threat and take all possible security precautions,” the note states.
The chief of the new wing of Al Qaeda is Sheikh Asim Umar, a Pakistani terror ideologue, while Osama Mahmoud is its spokesman.
Giving a long list of potential targets, the note further says that the security of sensitive installations and places should be reviewed, and available inputs should be assessed and immediately shared with central intelligence agencies so that the threat can be neutralised.
The exhaustive list of potential targets was prepared after gathering data from intelligence inputs over the years, and leads derived from the interrogation of arrested terrorists, including Indian Mujahideen founder member Yasin Bhatkal and Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, who was nabbed along with Bhatkal.
The list is specific. Dona Paula, Miramar and Calangute beaches in Goa are featured. Another specific plan is targeting an Army convoy on the Rampur-Bareilly road in Uttar Pradesh.
Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Gateway of India, Electric House in Colaba, Afghan Church, INS Angrey naval base, Jaslok Hospital, Bombay Stock Exchange and Breach Candy Hospital are among the potential targets in Mumbai, according to the note.
In Delhi, Chandni Chowk market, Dilli Haat, Red Fort and Paharganj area have been named as vulnerable spots, where terrorists could target international tourists.
Tourist attractions in Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are also on the list.
The note on the Al Qaeda threat further mentions that after the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, now known as the Islamic State, Al Qaeda has lost its prominence, and it might plan terror strikes to consolidate its standing.
Before the Al Qaeda video surfaced, intelligence inputs had indicated that the network was making in-roads into India as it had been sowing the seeds for a “final war” across the country.
The information gathered on the future plans of Al Qaeda indicate the mobilisation of its resources to carry out jihad in India as the ideological goal of the network is “Ghazwa-e-Hind” the final battle in India.
"We have identified certain areas where Al Qaeda could push its launch pads. Youth associated with Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) could be soft targets for them. We have alerted states to keep any eye on such elements,” says an intelligence officer.
Sources say areas in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat and Maharashtra are prime grounds for recruitment. Al Qaeda’s propaganda arm Al Sahab recently released a video titled “Why is there no storm in your ocean” to motivate potential recruits.
The video had speeches from terrorist leaders asking youth from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and south India to join the forces of global jihad.
Al Qaeda draws up India hit-list: Intelligence agencies fear 'big bang' terror strike could target an airport or nuclear plant | Daily Mail Online
Among the potential targets shortlisted by intelligence agencies are Bangalore airport and IT companies in the city, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Kanpur, and strategic installations in Karnataka like the Kaiga Atomic Power Plant and Tungbhadra power plant, as well as Karwar port.
A note prepared by intelligence agencies, accessed by Mail Today, says the specific reference to Kashmir, Gujarat and Assam in the video featuring Zawahiri is an indication of Al Qaeda’s plans to launch terror strikes using the Jamiat Qaedat al-Jihad Fi Shibh al-Qarrat al-Hindiya, or Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.
“The fact that the new group was announced by Zawahari himself indicates its importance. In recent weeks, some inputs had also suggested that such an announcement was imminent, lending credibility to this video,” the note says.
After the video was released on September 4, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said intelligence agencies were working to establish its authenticity.
Sources say now that its credibility has been established, the threat is being taken seriously, and this information has been shared with states.
“It is requested that all concerned be suitably briefed and sensitised about the threat and take all possible security precautions,” the note states.
The chief of the new wing of Al Qaeda is Sheikh Asim Umar, a Pakistani terror ideologue, while Osama Mahmoud is its spokesman.
Giving a long list of potential targets, the note further says that the security of sensitive installations and places should be reviewed, and available inputs should be assessed and immediately shared with central intelligence agencies so that the threat can be neutralised.
The exhaustive list of potential targets was prepared after gathering data from intelligence inputs over the years, and leads derived from the interrogation of arrested terrorists, including Indian Mujahideen founder member Yasin Bhatkal and Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, who was nabbed along with Bhatkal.
The list is specific. Dona Paula, Miramar and Calangute beaches in Goa are featured. Another specific plan is targeting an Army convoy on the Rampur-Bareilly road in Uttar Pradesh.
Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Gateway of India, Electric House in Colaba, Afghan Church, INS Angrey naval base, Jaslok Hospital, Bombay Stock Exchange and Breach Candy Hospital are among the potential targets in Mumbai, according to the note.
In Delhi, Chandni Chowk market, Dilli Haat, Red Fort and Paharganj area have been named as vulnerable spots, where terrorists could target international tourists.
Tourist attractions in Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are also on the list.
The note on the Al Qaeda threat further mentions that after the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, now known as the Islamic State, Al Qaeda has lost its prominence, and it might plan terror strikes to consolidate its standing.
Before the Al Qaeda video surfaced, intelligence inputs had indicated that the network was making in-roads into India as it had been sowing the seeds for a “final war” across the country.
The information gathered on the future plans of Al Qaeda indicate the mobilisation of its resources to carry out jihad in India as the ideological goal of the network is “Ghazwa-e-Hind” the final battle in India.
"We have identified certain areas where Al Qaeda could push its launch pads. Youth associated with Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) could be soft targets for them. We have alerted states to keep any eye on such elements,” says an intelligence officer.
Sources say areas in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat and Maharashtra are prime grounds for recruitment. Al Qaeda’s propaganda arm Al Sahab recently released a video titled “Why is there no storm in your ocean” to motivate potential recruits.
The video had speeches from terrorist leaders asking youth from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and south India to join the forces of global jihad.
Al Qaeda draws up India hit-list: Intelligence agencies fear 'big bang' terror strike could target an airport or nuclear plant | Daily Mail Online
