Intelligence warns LeT, JeM planning lone-wolf strike

Intelligence agencies have warned that terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tayeeba, having failed to get adequate “logistical support from sleeper cells in India”, are planning a major lone-wolf attack in the coming days. Following specific intelligence inputs to this effect, nearly 75 per cent of the elite NSG commando force has been kept on stand-by in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, to deal with any eventuality.

The home ministry had recently issued an advisory to all states to increase security during the festive season. Following surgical strikes by the Indian Army across the Line of Control, Indian intelligence inputs have revealed that Pakistan-based terror groups LeT and JeM are getting “increasingly desperate” to carry out a major strike in an important Indian city.

Intelligence sources claim that further investigations revealed that these terror organisations were not able to activate and get enough support from their local sleeper cells due to which the execution of a major strike did not seem possible. Thus, they have shifted their focus and are planning to use a lone wolf for the attack.

“Following a high state of alert and sustained pressure by security agencies which even led to the smashing of an Islamic State (ISIS) module in south India by the NIA, it has become increasing difficult for sleeper cells to reactivate themselves,” a senior intelligence official said.

“Normally, whenever a big terror attack is carried out, the module comes from outside while the sleeper cells provide local support, like a safe hideout and information regarding local targets. But since our security agencies were alert following the surgical strikes, the sleeper cells have been forced to lie low, forcing a tactical shift in their strategy,” the source added.

In view of the ongoing festive season and the intelligence agencies’ inputs, the NSG has already positioned their commandos at “strategic locations” across the country. Sources said as much as 75 per cent of the force has been kept on alert and could be rushed to the spot within a few hours. While refusing to divulge details, sources said security agencies had identified some vulnerable spots across the country with the help of local police and deployment of NSG commandos had been done accordingly.

“We have carried out an exercise to identify places like shopping malls and markets, airports, railway stations etc. that could be targeted by the terror elements. These commandos and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been positioned accordingly,” an official said.

The home ministry has already directed state police’s special branch and special cells, which are primarily their intelligence units, to focus on gathering more local intelligence on suspicious elements in their areas.