Security agencies have zoomed in on five different possibilities of an imminent terrorist strike based on technical surveillance.
NEW DELHI: After Mumbai, where? Security agencies have zoomed in on five different possibilities of an imminent terrorist strike based on technical surveillance, foreign intelligence inputs and domestic investigations. The five scenarios include an attack on Goa’s beaches, helicopter-based suicide attacks on sensitive installations, attacks on India’s aircraft carrier INS Viraat, attacks on key targets anywhere between Mumbai and Chennai from the sea, and aerial attacks on the Kalpakkam nuclear power plant.
Based on this information, gleaned from communication surveillance as well as US and European intelligence, alerts have been issued to the agencies concerned. The intelligence gathered so far suggests that an attack on Goa is the biggest possibility this year-end. It is based on these inputs that the Goan authorities have cancelled all beach parties between December 23 and January 5. The security establishment was worried about huge crowds, especially Israeli and Russian revellers, gathering for parties on the beaches.
The second possibility is of an aerial attack on a sensitive installation. Inputs from Indian and foreign intelligence agencies have warned of the possibility of fidayeen attacks using hijacked helicopters to crash into a sensitive installation like an atomic power station or a refinery. Sources in the aviation ministry said the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has been asked to take measures to thwart such heli-borne terrorist strikes.
On the military front, one of the most serious threats is to the INS Viraat, India’s only aircraft carrier and the country’s biggest warship. Sources said the navy has further beefed up security for the carrier, which is presently under repair at the shipyard at Kochi.
Based on voluminous inputs received from various intelligence agencies, foreign countries and other sources, many sources within the government believe that the next terrorist attack could happen anywhere along the western and southern coasts — from Mumbai to Chennai. There are inputs and analysis warning of terrorists using the LTTE’s logistics, including Sri Lankan territory, for carrying out an attack on the southern coast.
High on the alert list is the atomic power plant at Kalpakkam, which was recently declared a no-fly zone. One reason behind the move was the fear that terrorists could
use a hijacked aircraft as a missile to strike on the sensitive location.
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