Pak terrorists target Odisha among four states

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 22:

Three terrorist outfits from Pakistan have targeted four Indian states, including Odisha, intelligence reports say. The other three states on the terroirist target are Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

According to intelligence inputs shared by the Intelligence Bureau with the four states, four action groups of three Pakistan sponsored Jehadi terrorist outfits—Jamat ud Dawa (JuD), Lakshar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish- e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujaheedin— have entered India to carry out terrorist attacks before January 28.

As per the IB reports, of the four action teams, the first team is headed for Maharashtra, while the others have fanned out to Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha respectively.

It is learnt that the ultras have planned to attack the famous Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai on any Tuesday when the temple is overcrowded by the devotees.

The Mumbai attack team is led by one Abdulla Al Quresi along with three other members—Nasir Ali, Jabed Ekbal, Mobid Zeman and Shamsher—all in the age group of 25 years, the intelligence reports said.

Based on the intelligence report, Odisha has sounded a statewide alert.

“We have asked police in all 30 districts of the state to remain in a state of alert. Some districts where the threat perception is higher have been asked to maintain stricter vigil,’ Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjiv Marik said.

“It may not necessarily be a big attack. But the threat of a small attack is definitely there,” Marik said.

Lalit Das, special secertary in the Home department said besides the police in 30 districts, the 18 marine police stations in the state have also been asked to remain in a state of high alert.

“Security forces have been asked to keep an eye on crowded public places and meeting venues. which are more vulnerable to terrorist attacks,” he said.

SN Tiwari, former DGP of Odisha, two members of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), a wing of LeT, had come to Bhubaneswar a few months ago and had stayed in a hotel in Master Canteen area.

“Three SIMI members had recently escaped from the jail in Bhopal while its other members had gone from Maharashtra and joined the ISIS outfit in Syria. Taking all these into consideration, it is most likely that the IM has surveyed some areas of Odisha,” he informed.

Tiwari said the Odisha Police should make efforts to get a first-hand information about the modules prepared by the IM.

“This apart, the state police should take note of the involvement of a terrorist group that had carried out a series of blast in Bangladesh which is not far away from Baleswar district where there are a number of key establishments like Interim Test Range (ITR).” he added.