NEW DELHI, 21 October 2006 — Security was beefed up in the capital city yesterday in view of two festivals falling in the next couple of days and intelligence reports indicating Kashmir-based militant groups were planning violence and suicide attacks.
“We have specific information that terrorists are planning to kidnap the kin of some politicians so that they can demand clemency for Mohammad Afzal. We also believe they will stage suicide attacks,” a senior official said. Afzal, accused of involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack, was handed down death sentence by a Delhi court last month. His death sentence was scheduled to be carried out yesterday but was deferred as his family members had appealed to the president for clemency.
Last year, Delhi was rocked by three explosions just ahead of Diwali, killing 55 people and injuring more than 150. Security forces are keeping a vigil as Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is being celebrated today while Eid is early next week in India.
Delhi police yesterday claimed to have arrested a suspected Jaish-e-Muhammad militant with three kilograms of RDX from the northwest of the city. Earlier this month, Delhi police had arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants with 1.5 kg of RDX from Old Delhi Railway station. Jaish militant Pervez Ahmad Radoo, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested on Oct. 14, Deputy Commissioner of Police (special cell) Alok Kumar said yesterday. Apart from the RDX, police recovered cash, a timer and a detonator from Radoo, Kumar said. Radoo has been in police custody since Oct. 15. The two Lashkar militants, identified as Mohammed Aslam Gir and Abdul Razaq, are Bangladeshi nationals, sources said.
Police have beefed up security in the capital city by increasing patrolling and carrying out checks. Police have advised owners of cyber cafes, public telephone booths and second-hand car dealers to maintain a watch on all customers.
“We have intensified vigilance at crowded places including markets and are coordinating with intelligence agencies,” a senior police official said. Intelligence agencies fear militant groups might adopt a different strategy to sow terror. “This time it is not the politicians but their family members who are on the hit,” the official said.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review security for VIPs, including members of the Gandhi family. The 90-minute meeting was attended among others by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, Home Secretary V.K. Duggal, Special Protection Group (SPG) Director B.V. Wanchoo and chiefs of both Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and National Security Guard (NSG). Security was beefed up in the city after the meeting.
