World Cup venues on Lashkar, Qaeda alert

The home ministry on Wednesday put the security establishment across coastal states and eight metros on high alert after intelligence agencies reported al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba plans to carry out attacks at ICC Cricket World Cup venues. HT reports.

The home ministry on Wednesday put the security establishment across coastal states and eight metros on high alert after intelligence agencies reported al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba plans to carry out attacks at ICC Cricket World Cup venues.

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Wednesday's alert was in the series of advisories sent out by Delhi on intelligence inputs received by domestic and foreign security agencies.

The inputs indicated that a LeT group affiliated to Pakistan-based Zabiuddin Ansari - an accused in Pune's German Bakery blast (2009) and the Aurangabad arms haul (2006) - had been looking for information on chemical compounds as well as venues of the World Cup cricket matches in India.

The home ministry asked the states to take note of the inputs and plan the security arrangements being made for the World Cup matches, oil installations and the forthcoming Assembly elections in five states.

A foreign agency has also told India that some members of an operational cell of the terrorists could possibly have already entered the country via Nepal, and some more may arrive soon.

The home ministry also asked all states to track the whereabouts and monitor the activities of Indian Mujahideen absconders as well their associates.