Mossad Plans More Terror Attacks in India - "White German" Al-Qaeda in Pakistan

Above - Agents of influence. The first annual Jewish-Hindu Summit, Delhi, 1965. About the same time the Beatles began promoting Indian mysticism.

NEW DELHI: Israel's counter-terror unit has said that it has concrete information about jihadi outfits planning to carry out more attacks across India, especially at sites with a large concentration of Western and Israeli tourists. It suggested the strikes could be orchestrated by Lashker-e-Toiba, the group that had attacked Mumbai last year.

"The terrorist group that carried out the serious Mumbai attack in India is planning to carry out a number of attacks across India, particularly against concentrations of Western or Israeli tourists," a statement from Israel's counter terrorism bureau said.

The travel advisory said the warning was based on a "concrete and very serious threat" to Israelis in India. A leaked copy of the advisory said the potential attackers had Al Qaeda links.

The counter terrorism bureau has recommended to Israelis currently in India to avoid crowded areas, especially tourist areas, which have no apparent armed security.

Though Mumbai police sources said they were in touch with Israel over the terror warning, the Centre does not see any immediate cause for concern over the security of foreign tourists. "Foreign tourists are safe in India," Union home secretary G K Pillai said here.

In Mumbai, ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi said, "We are regularly in touch with them (Israelis), sharing intelligence and news about any threats. But we have not heard anything specific about the latest alert." Other officials in the Mumbai police however confirmed that they were liaising with Israel on the latest threat.

Meanwhile, the Centre has issued a routine terror alert to the states ahead of the festival season asking them to step up vigil in crowded areas, especially the sites of festivities such as Navratri Dandiya Raas, Ramlila and Dussehra, besides at Durga Puja pandals.

The Central advisory asks the state police to get in touch with puja committees and local Ramlila organisers, sensitising them of the likely threats and ensuring that the minimum security measures like installation of door-frame metal detectors and patrolling are taken. Union home secretary G K Pillai, while speaking to the Israeli media, on Friday sought to assure the Israelis visiting or staying here that the government was alert, as was evident from the absence any serious terror attacks since 26/11.

The upcoming week is crowded with festivals with Durga Puja starting on Saturday and ending with Dussehra on September 28, even as Id-ul-Fitr falls on Monday. The LeT, the agencies suspect, may try to disrupt the festivities with the larger aim of creating communal disturbances, particularly in communally-sensitive states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Mumbai was attacked by the Pakistan-based Lashkar e Toiba on November 26 last year. Among the targets hit was a Chabad house run by the Lubavitch movement.

The latest Israeli terror warning comes just as the Chabad Houses across India plan numerous events for the celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year.

White German Al-Qaeda in Pakistan