HYDERABAD, 1 January 2006 — India’s southern cities Bangalore and Hyderabad were on high alert following terror threats as police investigated a recent attack on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), local reports said yesterday.
Police questioned suspects in connection with Wednesday’s terrorist raid at Bangalore’s IISc, state-run All India Radio reported. A professor was killed in the attack.
Bangalore, considered India’s information technology capital, was already on a high alert after newspaper offices Friday received a fax that claimed that six terrorists, two of them suicide bombers, would target state Chief Minister Dharam Singh’s house as well as New Year celebrations at a luxury hotel.
The fax letter was signed by Moinuddin of Al-Jehadi group, an unknown militant organization.
Anonymous threats of bomb attacks to disrupt New Year Eve celebrations were received yesterday as well. Telephone calls threatening bomb blasts were made to educational institutions, offices, an IT company and a shopping mall, which forced employees and shoppers to leave.
Patrolling and vigilance across the city and key installations was stepped up as city police chief Ajay Kumar Singh said 4,000 civilian police personnel will be assisted by paramilitary forces to ensure safe New Year celebrations. Police also requested the army for its “Quick Reaction Forces.”
Hyderabad, capital of neighboring Andhra Pradesh state also received such anonymous threats. Hitec city, an IT hub on the outskirts of the city, was evacuated and police accompanied by dog squads and bomb disposal squads searched the premises.
Security analyst B. Raman told newspapers that terrorists are targeting south India’s IT hubs in Bangalore and Hyderabad in “economic terrorism,” which is aimed at slowing down the foreign investment inflows and India’s economic growth.
According to The Times of India, India’s security agencies apprehend “Bali-type” terrorist attacks during the New Year.
The paper said there is a high security alert across the country — at the country’s porous borders, scientific and sensitive installations, complexes housing IT firms and consulates as well as beaches and hotels, where New Year celebrations are planned.
— With input from agencies
