India issues 'red alert' over terrorist attacks

Sat, 26 Dec 2009

India has issued a "red alert" following intelligence reports that some Taliban militants have sneaked in the country to carry out terror attacks.

Following the terrorist attack in Mumbai in November 2008 that killed around 176 people, the Indian government on Saturday said it is taking no risks following intelligence reports that terrorists had sneaked into the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai to target vital installations.

An Indian Home Ministry source said that Taliban-trained "fidayeen" (suicide squads) had reportedly entered the country to carry out attacks on specific iconic structures, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Mumbai.

According to one source, the terrorists are also planning an attack on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Nuclear plants across India received a similar alert, due to fears that terrorists would be targeting them.

In addition, government offices, transportation facilities, market places, railway stations, airports and hotels have beefed up security and efforts are under way to nab the terrorists at the earliest, a ministry official said requesting anonymity.