The nation’s security establishment has gone into a tizzy with 26/11 mastermind and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba patron Hafiz Saeed threatening more attacks in the run-up to Independence Day.
The nation’s capital was put on high alert after the Intelligence Bureau told the Delhi police of the possibility of terror strikes at markets and other sites of strategic importance. One of Delhi’s top monuments, the Red Fort, is always high on the terror radar as the Prime Minister addresses the nation from its ramparts on the morning of Independence Day.
A report by the intelligence agencies notes Saeed made an open threat while addressing a rally in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi. This comes soon after the killing of five Indian soldiers along the Line of Control in Kashmir’s Poonch sector, which India has blamed on a specialist unit of the Pakistan Army.
In his open threat, Saeed said jihadis should plan to hit the Indian capital in the same way as a similar attack was carried out in 2000 at the Red Fort. One reason why the security brass is taking Saeed’s threat seriously is that on November 3, 2000, the JuD chief made a similar speech threatening to “disintegrate India”. The Red Fort attack took place a little over a month later, on December 22, 2000. “Later, Saeed had also proclaimed victory before a gathering of political leaders” an intelligence source said.
On Friday, the Lashkar founder led the main Id-ul-Fitr prayers at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where thousands gathered to mark the end of the holy month of Ramzan. Hours before that speech, Saeed also “tweeted” his Id greetings with a strong anti-India message and a direct reference to Kashmir.
The JuD chief tweeted that the “time is near when those oppressed in Kashmir, Palestine and Burma will celebrate Eid in the air of freedom”. “So, we say Eid Mubarak to you in these testing times; soon world will say Eid Mubarak to you after your triumph. May ALLAH accept.” “ALLAH will not waste your Sacrifices, Ummah will be glorified, Islam will be strengthened, that time is very near #kashmir”, Saeed wrote from his Twitter account “@HafizSaeedJUD”.
Despite a $10 million bounty on his head by the United States government, Saeed manages to live and roam freely in Lahore and indeed all over Pakistan. There is no formal ban in Pakistan on the JuD and its chief despite India’s repeated demands to bring the 26/11 mastermind to justice.
The Intelligence Bureau has, meanwhile, asked all state governments and security agencies to maintain high vigil in the run up to August 15 and the festive season ahead. Keeping in mind the 26/11 sea-borne attack, the Indian Navy is also stepping up its vigil, sources said.
“We have received a letter from the IB about a threat from a terrorist outfit ahead of August 15,” said Delhi police special commissioner (special cell) S.N. Srivastava. “Delhi has been put on high alert and security has been beefed up in markets, crowded places, high-rise buildings and government offices,” he added. Delhi police commissioner B.S. Bassi, however, sought to downplay the heightened security alert in the city, saying the police constantly reviews security arrangements in view of the Independence Day celebrations.