New Delhi: The US embassy has warned India of terror attacks by foreign terrorists - possibly the al-Qaeda. They say terrorists could be planning strikes in major Indian cities in the coming days.
The spokesperson of the US embassy, David Kennedy, said that according to their intelligence the target cities were New Delhi and Mumbai.
In an e-mail sent to US citizens living in India, the US embassy said that the attacks were believed to be planned for either before or on Independence Day - between August 11 and August 16.
"This is primarily based on information that we have collected. We have worked closely with the Indian Government and it seemed prudent to make a formal announcement to the American community, which is what we have done today," said Kennedy.
US has said that airports, Government offices, hotels and market places are the possible targets.
US has warned its citizens in India to keep a low profile. All US companies' offices in India will be shut on Independence Day for US authorties are not willing to take any chances.
THe US embassy and consulate services will be available to all American citizens in India for 24 hours.
However, the Indian Home Ministry is downplaying the advisory.
In fact the Government says that they have not even received a formal threat alert from the US government.
"When we receive inputs, we will sensitize our state government and our police force as they go about making security arrangements based on the information provided. It's a very innocous advisory and that's just about it," say Home Secretary V K Duggal.
"Till now my ministry has not received any reactions and in fact as the advisory has come from abroad, it must have come to the MEA. If informed we will take all the appropriate steps," added Minister of State, Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal.
Nonetheless, Indian authorities have put major airports on red alert.
Bomb disposal squads are on high alert and sniffer dogs have been deployed to key airports across the country.
No visitors are being allowed inside the airport. Baggage is being manually checked and surveillance has been increased at ticket counters.
On Thursday night, the Delhi Police arrested two Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists, which is believed to be working with the al-Qaeda.
The two were arrested at the New Delhi station and one of them is a Pakistani national.
Security have been steppped up in sensitive areas in Delhi like Paharganj, the Walled City, areas around the Parliament and ITO.
In Mumbai, mall owners and shop owners have are in a meeting with the police commissioner to discuss security measures.
Security has been heightened in areas where crowds are likely to gather. Mumbai authorities are not taking any chances to avoid a repeat of 7/11.
"There is no need to panic. In case you come across any suspicious person or object, inform the police immediately," said Mumbai Police Commissioner, A N Roy.
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India's western frontier has always been a vulnerable spot.
However, authorities are now saying that the eastern front too has become an area of concern with Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami giving legitimacy to terrorists and helping them cross the border into India.
The warning from US to India comes a day after British authorities foiled a simultaneous attack on multiple targets, targeting US-bound aircraft.
Twenty-four British nationals of Pakistan origin have been arrested in three UK cities and seven Pakistanis have been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the plot.
Extreme security measures have been ushered in at UK airports.
British investigators say the plan was for mass murder on an unimaginable scale. Raids are still being conducted all over Britain
Police say the accused had planned to blow up the at least 10 New York, Washington and California-bound aeroplanes, using sophisticated liquid explosives disguised as sports drinks.
All liquids - from water to shampoo - are now banned from hand baggage, the sole exceptions being baby formula and medicines.
Travelers are being issued plastic bags for the few essential items allowed on board.
The security crackdown has reduced lines of passengers to a crawl - as people pick through their belongings for anything now deemed suspect.
Most European carriers have cancelled flights to Heathrow airport because of the massive delays. British Airways has cancelled all its short haul flights out of Heathrow.
(With inputs from agencies)
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