Fidayeen on terror mission in India

By M H Ahssan

Security agencies have been placed on high alert following an intelligence report that 7-8 trained pilots and more than a dozen women fidayeen have entered the country on a mission to carry out terror strikes and hijackings.

Security arrangements across the country have been reviewed and beefed up following the input that was received six days ago by Maharashtra police and some other security agencies. This was three days before the threat e-mail landed at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai and a Taj property in Chennai.

All security agencies and police force have now been briefed about a group of 20 people, who could be Pakistani nationals, entering the Indian soil. According to a source, “A group of 20 people, who could be Pakistani nationals, have entered the country to carry out terror strikes or a plane hijack. The group includes seven trained pilots and 13-14 women.’’

The latest intelligence is also one of the most serious threat intimations received by the aviation ministry.

“While we have been receiving terror threats repeatedly after 26\11, the current input is clearly the biggest one airports have received so far,’’ according to an official.

The message was conveyed to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which forwarded it to all airports across the country.

For the aviation sector, the message revives memories of the IC-814 hijacking by Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives on April 24, 1999. The hijackers demanded release of their leader Maulanad Masood Azhar from an Indian jail. In a hostage swap, the government released Azhar.

“As it is, security is tight due to continuing perception of terror threats post the bombings across the country and the 26\11 Mumbai attacks. This message has yet again put pressure to plug all loopholes, if any,’’ said an official. “Places regarded as valuable targets are under watch,’’ he added.

The input doesn’t specify the age group of the suspected Pakistani terrorists. Nor does it say how the group sneaked in.

A senior intelligence official said, “We cannot take a chance. This group may also be planning to disrupt the Lok Sabha elections in the country this month.’’