Threat to foreign minister’s life: IB

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has warned of a possible assassination bid on the life of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, reports Tushar Srivastava.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has warned of a possible assassination bid on the life of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

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In a confidential note, the IB has asked the "West Bengal and Delhi Police to review security arrangements" of the minister, who is often said to be the second most important man in the UPA government. The note, sent on May 7, has also been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The note states that an input has been received that "Jehadi elements having the backing of ISI are planning to target Mukherjee. The group is believed to have surveyed his residence and places frequented by him in New Delhi and Kolkata.
While the group feels that Kolkata is the better place for execution of the project because the protectee visits there often and has many public engagements, they have not yet decided on the location."

"The Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami are under our scanner. We have certain information, which cannot be shared at this moment," a senior security official said. Mukherjee, the note further adds, "is a Z + central protectee. In view of the input, Delhi Police and West Bengal Police may review the security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident takes place."