Lashkar threat to Goa film festival

Days before the biggest Indian film festival in Goa, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has sounded a high alert and is sending a specialist team to assess the situation.

Intelligence agencies suspect a module of the Lashkar-e-Taiba might try to strike the state during the festival and the festive season thereafter in December.

The International Film Festival of India is scheduled to start on November 23 and will continue for 11 days, after which the annual festival season, during which a lot of tourists visit Goa from across the globe, begins.

Senior officials in the home ministry said director general of Goa Police BS Bassi was in the capital on Thursday and briefed MHA on the threat perception and the urgent steps needed to counter it.

Sources said some of the visiting international celebrities would get personal security. Four companies of paramilitary had been rushed to the venue, they said. Senior officials said temporary bunkers would also be set up on beaches most frequented by foreigners. “There would be three-tier security at the venue and quick reaction teams of the paramilitary would be on standby,” a senior home ministry official said.