Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may have flung off a cheap shot at Prime Minister Modi for playing the drums (fiddling like Nero) in Japan while crises were brewing in India but really, stop this sort of nonsense. Politicians can be such twits. If Modi has gone to Japan let him do it right and go through the paces. Unlike Rome, India is not burning. Everyone needs a break.
They did this to Obama last week. Kicked him around for playing a round of golf while the Iraq situation was getting out of hand. You cannot have a leader on 24 hours duty. Ask Rahul Gandhi: Did you take Sunday off? Of course you did and so you should.
But that said, Modi seems to have electrified the Indian intelligence and security agencies after Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri announced in a video message the creation of an Indian branch of his militant group to “raise the flag of jihad” across South Asia.
In the 55-minute video posted online, Zawahari pledged renewed loyalty to Afghan Taleban leader Mullah Omar.
Announcing the formation of “Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent”, Zawahiri spoke in both Arabic and Urdu languages.
In New Delhi India was quick to react though what can you do? It is not like they are opening a branch of Starbucks and seeking licenses ... it will be underground and there must already be splinter groups in operation. It would be incredibly naive to imagine otherwise and it also could be a move to bring a little attention back to the group which has been comparatively sidelined after the IS has captured the headlines.
The Indian Home Ministry asked the IB to verify the video, sources said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the intelligence agencies over the issue. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was present at the meeting.
While an alert has been issued across country, there is very little anyone can do. Look what is happening in Britain. The fear of racism and communalism charges has everyone on the backfoot. Cameron cannot even get traction from his own intelligence services.
The same is going to happen in India. You can track, you can trace, you can even identify individuals and places but unless they leave a paper trail what pre-emptive options are there? None.
—
Email: [email protected]
