Nation on high alert

NEW DELHI; The nation continues to be in a state of high alert. While the government is yet to make up its mind whether to accept Al Qaeda presence in the country, with national security advisor MK Narayanan and Home Secretary VK Duggal speaking in different voices, security agencies, experts and independent reports have stated this clearly.

Analysts point to two aspects that have developed in terrorism simultaneously: international linkage along with decentralised, localised network. Al Qaeda in that sense remains the motivator and brain, with its international Islamic front in which most terrorist outfits have come together. Closer home, the terror threat perceived by security agencies arises from reports of joining of hands by various terrorist outfits operating in the country, according to intelligence reports with the police and other security agencies. 

These outfits are expanding their network in the country, finding and hiring recruits from among the local population and setting up bases in India's heartland.  On target are all major buildings and installations, markets, railway stations, airports, religious places and other sensitive or crowded places. The terrorist groups that are coordinating in this include outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-eMohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia, Khalistan Commando Force, north eastern militant outfits like United Liberation Front of Asom, as well as naxalite groups, informed a senior officer.