India, US hold joint counter-terror training

In the backdrop of terror warnings on the eve of India's Independence Day, Indian security officials are holding a counter-terror training exercise focusing on post-incident investigations and pre-empting blasts with US officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In the backdrop of terror warnings on the eve of India's Independence Day, Indian security officials are holding a counter-terror training exercise focusing on post-incident investigations and pre-empting blasts with US officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

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The six-day joint counter-terrorism training and exchange programme began Aug 9 in the Indian capital. Indian law enforcement officials are being trained to recognise and respond to improvised explosive devices.

The training, which also covers aspects of post-blast investigations, will continue in Bangalore till Saturday.

"This exchange is a great example of how our countries are working together to combat the threat of terrorism in both policy and practice,” said US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer Friday at the end of the Delhi leg of the joint exercise.

"Sharing techniques, expertise and information are all critical to our joint efforts to fight terror, and would not be possible without our strong and healthy bilateral relationship,” he said.

The joint counter-terror exercise is taking place at a time the US State Department has issued a fresh warning saying it has "credible evidence" that terrorists may be planning terror attacks at places frequented by its citizens in India, Pakistan and West Asia and asked them to be alert and take precautionary measures.

"In India there is a continuing threat of terrorism as attacks have randomly targeted public places frequented by Westerners, including luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas," the State Department said in a Worldwide Caution issued on Thursday.