New Delhi: Indian States have been put on alert by the national security agencies over possible terror strikes by the Islamic State during the festival season – Dussehra and Diwali.
Sources said Delhi Police’s intelligence unit had forwarded the alert to the special cell of Delhi and Rajasthan police, which is now developing leads on the basis of the inputs.
In Delhi, intercepts suggest the attack could be carried out by a single member of the outfit. However, with the possibility of SIMI members working for IS, an attack involving two-three men cannot be ruled out either.
SIMI was always known to be operating in small groups and this modus operandi was later adopted by Indian Mujahideen.
Besides, agencies have been warning Delhi Police of impending threats and possible recruitments by IS. A few months ago, agencies had communicated to the police commissioner about an online recruitment drive being undertaken by IS.
IS has been extensively using social media to radicalise youths and has tapped nearly 30 youngsters in north India in recent months.
Apart from this, Delhi also faces threats from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed. However, with the special cell lying dormant for the past few months, Delhi’s security doesn’t seem foolproof for the time being.
