Based on reliable intelligence inputs, a massive combing operation is underway for seven terrorists who crossed over from Bangladesh in the second week of January.
NEW DELHI: Based on reliable intelligence inputs, a massive combing operation is underway across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and elsewhere for seven terrorists who crossed over from Bangladesh in the second week of January.
According to the inputs, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati is among the key targets of the group. Intelligence agencies received the first input on the group sometime around January 10.
From then onwards, there have been consistent and credible inputs on 11 Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami terrorists who tried to cross over into India. Of them, seven managed to sneak in, while four were intercepted by border security guards and probably failed to enter India.
The inputs had the intelligence top brass on tenterhooks during the Republic Day ceremonies. And state polices have been alerted about the new threat.
This has also prompted the Centre to seriously consider Mayawati’s request for further security.
The seven, believed to be Bangladeshis, then split into three groups. One of them is believed to be in Lucknow, another is headed towards Delhi, Ghaziabad or Agra. A third group may have gone to Guwahati, according to details available here.
According to the inputs, being taken seriously by the intelligence agencies, the group’s key target is Mayawati. This has been deducted from the fact that the group has used ‘elephant’ references for their target, movement of terrorists and other factors. Elephant, incidentally, is the party symbol of the BSP.
There is also the rare possibility that the ‘elephant’ references could denote Assam, and two militants are believed to have gone to Assam. The group seems to have “well-settled handlers”, who may have been in India for over a year, in Lucknow, Ghaziabad and elsewhere.
Some inputs also indicate a pregnant woman may also join this team in the operation. Though demands for increasing security cover for the UP chief minister were there, sources say the latest threat added to the immediacy.
In the run up to the Republic Day, the intelligence agencies feared that this group could strike, especially in Delhi. Now, they are on a massive search, and there are reports that some people have been picked up in Kolkata for questioning.
j_josy@dnaindia.net
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