INDIA ON RED ALERT over NEW YEAR 28-12-2010

India has issued a nationwide terror alert after receiving word that Pakistan-based militants are planning an attack over New Year's weekend. Officials have increased security in Mumbai, Goa, and Bangalore—specifically, at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Taj hotels in Mumbai, and software companies in Bangalore—and say that possible targets may include locations scouted out by American David Coleman Headley before the Mumbai attacks. Since Friday, Mumbai and Ahmedabad authorities have been hunting for four members of terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba believed to be in Mumbai and planning the attacks. Sketches have been released of the men, and police have stepped up security in public areas, and conducted house-to-house searches. Mumbai officials have not hesitated to issue terror alerts since the 2008 attacks left 166 people dead, and this is the third time this year that officials have issued a major warning.
New Delhi: The ministry of Home Affairs sounded a security alert across the country four days before the New Year festivities begin. The alert is specific for all locations that Lashkar agent David Coleman Headley recced. Information Bureau has picked up human intelligence which suggests that Taj Hotel could be attacked, following which security at all Taj Hotels, specially Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel has been tightened.
The Home Ministry advisory came after a specific alert issued for Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Intelligence reports had suggested that terrorists from across the border have entered India with plans to attack Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Both Mumbai n Gujarat police have been asked to be vigilant. In Karnataka also, the threat of terror is raising concern.
Para military forces have been stationed in coastal Karnataka as inputs suggest terrorist could enter the state taking the sea route. Security forces in Goa too have been asked to be vigilant in the wake of the film festival and the rush of foreign tourists coming in for the New Year. People are advised to be vigilant and stay away from crowded places like markets and tourist places.

MUMBAI POLICE has released the sketches of four Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) suspects, who have reportedly sneaked into the city to carry out "violent" attacks with the aim of causing "destruction".

Issuing an advisory to citizens to remain alert, Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Himanshu Roy told a news conference late on Thursday night that: "The four were identified as Abdul Kareem Moosa, Noor Abu Ilahi, Walid Jinnah and Mahfooz Alam. The four recently sneaked into the city to carry out extremely dangerous activity."

The police have set up dedicated phone number 02222633333 to enable the people pass on information about the militants and in the event of an emergency

JAI HIND
Rahul Vallamber