News Content

Intelligence agencies in India warn of attacks by terrorists on transport hubs

THE Centre in India has issued an advisory to all state governments urging them to beef up security at airports, railway stations, bus terminals, metro stations and other transportation hubs to ward off potential attacks by terrorists.

Delhi's India Today reported that in the advisory letter sent out on September 1, a director-level officer from the Centre stated that "the Central Security Agencies have intimated that terrorists are planning a range of attacks against commercial aviation targets."

The letter refers to a similar plot foiled in Australia which has revealed the terror plot in India. "The recent plot foiled in Australia underscores focus of such groups on devising innovative ways to attack aircraft and other transportation targets," the advisory reads.

The Centre's letter to states said: "Recent intelligence inputs are indicative of threats from explosives concealed inside a personal electronics or small appliance and other personal items. Such items could be taken on a plane or shipped by airmail."

It also states that "terrorists remain interested in small arm attacks and physical assaults on airports and other transportation hubs."

There is also a potential threat of chemical attacks on airports and other transport junctions. "Terrorists could also adopt chemical warfare capabilities to conduct chemical attacks outside of the conflict zone by creating toxic gases from materials available from a hardware store or easily produced materials," the advisory added.