The overall security scenario in the country remains a cause of concern because of threats emanating from Pakistan and Afghan-Pak belt, as per the alert issued by intelligence agencies.
The overall security scenario in the country remains a cause of concern because of threats emanating from Pakistan and Afghan-Pak belt, and other reasons, as per the alert issued by intelligence agencies ahead of Independence Day.
Independence Day is a day which is celebrated all over the country with great fanfare and enthusiasm. In Delhi, the main function is being held at the Red Fort, where the Prime Minister unfurls the National Flag and addresses the nation.
The schedule of the event has a fixed venue, providing a potentially attractive target to terrorist outfits and other inimical elements harbouring hostile intent against the country. The presence of a large number of people, including high-risk dignitaries amidst wide media coverage further intensifies its vulnerability, as per intelligence agencies.
“The overall security scenario in the country continues to remain a cause for concern, particularly on account of threats emanating from Pakistan and the Afgan-Pak belt. The security situation is perceived to be further accentuated in the aftermath of the developments related to the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir,” intelligence agencies said.
“Pak-ISI continues to provide infrastructural and other financial/logistical assistance to terror groups operating from Pakistan, particularly Laskar-e-Taiba ( LeT) and Jaish-E- Mohammad (JeM). The recent collusion in efforts of LeT and JM noticed in J&K accentuates their potential threat.
According to the agencies, Pak-based terrorist outfits were contemplating explosive-laden vehicle strikes and concealing IEDs inside loudspeakers and amplifiers used during public events. They are learnt to have prepared IEDs and bombs disguised in items of common and daily usage, such as torches, cameras, perfume bottles and toys etc.
The agencies said all the area of the event has to be thoroughly checked and sanitized, keeping in view, the kind of IEDs recovered earlier in various terrorist effected states of the country. The time of explosion of IEDs can easily be controlled by ABCD timers, can be remotely operated, just to avoid any untoward incident specifically pertaining to IEDs to be assessed.
“Threat to IDC-2021 was also perceived from hinterland-based Indian Mujahideen (IM) and operatives of the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Sikh terrorists, North-East Insurgents, Left Wing Extremist (LWE), elements and their collaborators. Further, presence of Rohingyas in different parts of the country, who are vulnerable to subversion by terrorist/radical outfits,” the agencies said.
It further said, “Various Sikh militant outfits are under pressure of Pak-ISI to activate militant activities in Punjab and in neighbouring States. The growing radicalisation among the Muslim youth in view of the relentless Jihadi propaganda has serious security repercussions.”
The agencies highlighted the past incidents and said, “The past incidents of riots/unrest (in Delhi) among Muslim groups at some specific government events (republic day celebrations/ Visit of Foreign dignitaries) are to be kept in mind as the previous incidents were strategically crafted and being supported by anti-national elements operating from outside the country.”
As per the agencies, the scenario of recent agitations/resentment among farmer groups and unemployed youth against government policies are to be kept under consideration so as to evade any unwanted circumstances.
“Left Wing Extremist activities in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh warrant special attention. Similarly, activities of insurgent groups in the North Eastern States would require close monitoring,” the agencies said.
India has long land and maritime international borders with several countries rendering it vulnerable to infiltration by hostile elements from these countries, said the agencies, adding that there have been inputs to indicate the presence of a large number of various terrorist groups at the launch pads in Pakistan looking for an opportune moment to infiltrate into India.
