kumarvishwas
Contributor
- Joined
- 24 May 2015
- Messages
- 2,945
- Reaction score
- 2,831
Former Pak Soldier, Now In India, Planning Holi Attack: Intel Agencies
Delhi, Assam and Punjab have been put on high alert after security agencies warned that a group of six terrorists led by a former Pakistani soldier have crossed into India through the Pathankot border in Punjab. The terrorists could try and hit "hotels and hospitals" during Holi tomorrow, the alert has warned.
Police in north Indian states where Holi is celebrated will already be under stress due to the festivities.
Top sources told NDTV that security agencies, in a detailed alert, have said that a group of six terrorists led by a former Pakistani soldier Mohammed Khurshid Alam crossed into India on February 23 through "Pathankot, Punjab-Pakistan border."
Though the border with Pakistan is fenced in Punjab, there are gaps in the fencing in the Pathankot sector due to the Ravi river entering Pakistan from India through the district. Six terrorists had crossed over on January 1 and struck at the Pathankot air base hours later. Seven soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel of the elite National Security Guard, were killed fighting the terrorists in an operation that lasted four days.
Security agencies have told the police in the three states including the national capital that the terrorists could try and target "hotels and hospitals" during Holi on Thursday.
The alert issued by the intelligence agencies says that Mohammed Khurshid Alam had crossed into India in September 2015 as well and had visited a Madarsa near Barpeta in Assam. He then moved to Chirang and Dubri districts in Assam.
Sources also told NDTV that subsequent investigations showed that Alam had used Dubri as his base and travelled across Assam. Authorities now fear he could trigger attacks in the state which is preparing for assembly elections next week. Punjab - which saw the worst terror attack this year - and Delhi, which is the seat of government, are the other places he could target.
Former Pak Soldier, Now In India, Planning Holi Attack: Intel Agencies