Intelligence reports suggest leT, JeM eyeing big cities to create new sleeper cells

Indian security agencies have sounded an alert across the country about Al-Qaeda’s plan to target the offices of the BJP in 12 States. BJP’s national headquarters at 11, Ashok Road is on the radar of Al-Qaeda and terrorist groups owing allegiance to Pakistan.

The Intelligence input is specific. Intelligence Bureau has sent two alerts on September 6 and 10 to the Special Cell of the Delhi Police and to the police chiefs of other States about the hideous plans of Al-Qaeda and terrorist outfits under its umbrella. Intelligence reports suggest that groups such as lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have been trying to create new sleeper cells in Delhi, Mumbai and other big cities.

Agencies are also worried about undetected sleeper cells that may be activated by the terrorist groups to target the country and its establishments.

According to the alert (in possession of The Pioneer), Al-Qaeda is eyeing Muslim youths of Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi. Sleeper cells of leT and JeM are believed to have been activated by the handlers of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan. The sleeper cells have been tasked to recruit Muslim youth either by indoctrination or offering money as bait. The banned terrorist organisation such as SIMI and other outfits may try to foment communal tension and also attack the financial nerve centers across the country.

The Intelligence agencies are scouring the length and breadth of the country as most of the operatives of sleeper cells are undetected and nobody has any clues about them.

“It is also assessed that Pakistan-based terrorist planners can always exploit the presence of yet undetected operatives of various groups like leT, JeM, Indian Mujahideen for conducting terrorist attack in the country. Cadres of these groups are susceptible to the extreme Islamic ideology and therefore could be utilised relatively easily and in a cost effective manner by such Pakistan-based planners," the alert said.

According to Intelligence agencies, the Pakistan-based terror groups has been trying to create new sleeper cell in Delhi, Mumbai and other metros, for the past six months.

“This is in continuation of this office information/alert issued vide Nos 3627-60 and 3698-3731/C & R Cell regarding Al-Qaeda chief Ayman-Al-Zawahari who launched a new branch for the Indian Sub-Continent with intention of spreading Islamic rule and raise the flag of Jehad,” the alert said.

It may be noted that Al-Qaeda chief Ayman-Al-Zawahari had issued a video few weeks back and had also warned to launch terrorist strikes in India. Christened as Jamaat Qaidat al-jihad fi'shibhi al-qarrat al-Hindiya or the Organisation by Jawahiri, the group had claimed to impose Sharia law in the Sub-Continent. The Intelligence agencies are concerned that these outfits will shift focus to India, particularly Jammu & Kashmir, once US troops begins to withdraw from Afghanistan next year.

According to Intelligence agencies, the Al-Qaeda has targeted those States where grievances among Muslims are high and youths could be an easy prey.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had held a meeting with the security experts to thwart the evil designs of Al-Qaeda. The Home Minister reportedly took stock of the security arrangements in and around the BJP offices in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala and Assam. States have been asked to provide round the clock security to these offices, sources said on Wednesday.

“By making a video announcement of a branch in the Indian Sub-Continent called the Jamaat Qaidat al-jihad fi'shibhi al-qarrat al-Hindiya or the Organisation of The Base of Jehad in the Indian Sub-Continent, the Al-Qaeda, whose credibility and hold among jehadists is gradually declining due to the rise of the ISIS, wants to regain the position it had enjoyed under bin laden. Over the years, there has been a shift in allegiance from Al-Qaeda to ISIS, with the latter challenging the authority of Al-Qaeda,” a senior official added.