vIndianz.com (Jan 23, 2010) — New Delhi: Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has acquired at least 50 para-gliding equipment from Europe, setting off alarm bells in India that these could be used to carry out air-borne suicide attacks in the country even during Republic Day celebrations on Tuesday.
The intelligence input which came barely days ahead of Republic Day celebrations has prompted authorities to ensure a tight air security around all vital installations, official sources said.
The input about movement of overground workers, owing allegiance to LeT, in Europe led the sleuths to find out that they were on a shopping spree for para-gliding equipment, the sources said.
Security agencies have carried out mock drills in different areas in the country as part of the exercise to prevent any air-borne suicide attack by LeT terrorists.
The government, early this week, has already put all Air India planes operating in the country’s neighbourhood on high security alert following intelligence reports from Western agencies that the LeT and other terror groups were planning to hijack a flight.
The government has ordered further strengthening of security at all airports and deployed sky marshals on many flights.
Radars located at strategic locations have been tuned to intercept all low flying objects and authorities are not taking any chances, sources said. A no-flying zone is already in place in capital’s Luytens zone which houses the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister’s Office and key ministries like Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs, among others.
Ahead of the Republic Day, elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, have also been taken to check possible intrusion of air space. Besides, helicopters of the Indian Air Force will hover over the areas around Rajpath and all along the route of the Republic Day parade.
Earlier, intelligence reports suggested that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence had directed the militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir to use explosive-laden ‘Toy Planes’ to hit VIPs in the state and the national capital, a Press Trust of India, the Indian premier news agency said.
The alert came close on the heels of visiting U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates who cautioned that India faced threat from Al Qaeda and its affiliates who were out to destabilise the region and trigger a war between India and Pakistan.
Earlier, intelligence reports suggested that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had directed the militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir to use explosive-laden ‘Toy Planes’ to hit VIPs in the state and the national capital.
A data shows that Indian Airlines carries the dubious distinction of the most hijacked flight. 13 hijackings of Indian civil aviation were reported in 30 years till 2001.
Further Reading- No withdrawal of security forces from Kashmir – Hindustan Times
- Pakistan troops violate LoC ceasefire – Times of India
- Security stepped up in Karnataka following terror alert – Oneindia
- India steps up new year security – BBC News
- Bomb scare at Chennai airport, alert sounded – Zee News
- India commits to help Afghan security forces – AFP
- Attack on Pakistan’s border checkpost kills 27 – Xinhua
- Ahead of R-Day cops carry out security drills – Times of India
- Nation celebrates Republic Day amidst tight security – Hindustan Times
- Pakistan violates ceasefire, BSF kill one intruder – Hindustan Times
Stay updated! Follow us on twitter and subscribe to our feed via Feedburner.
No Comments