Author:
Publication: Deccan Chronicle
Date: August 11, 2006
Intelligence agencies have foiled the attempts
of the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) which was planning "spectacular strikes"
in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra on August 15, mid-September and
October 15. Police in all these States have been put on high alert after intelligence
sleuths intercepted crucial messages between LeT operatives and their handlers
across the border in July and August.
Sources said that Nagarjunasagar dam, thermal
power station in Vijayawada, Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka and IT units in
Bangalore were chosen as targets. "The messages made it clear that the
militant organisation was planning `spectacular strikes' outside Kashmir,"
an intelligence source said. Alerts have been flashed to all key wings of
the State police. Following this, the counter intelligence department, special
branch and the task forces have increased their vigil. According to the alerts,
the LeT was planning to infiltrate trained terrorists to the southern States
through sea. Arms and ammunition were also to land on the coastline of Maharashtra
and Gujarat.
"The consignment of arms and ammunition
was to reach the country on three dates - before August 15, by the second
week of September and by October 15," said the message. Apart from dams
and power units, offices of the RSS were also to be targeted by the LeT.
"The LeT operatives were specifically
discussing explosions to cause damage to IT sector in Bangalore," said
the source. Various police wings have begun strictly monitoring modules of
terror networks in the city. Security has also been beefed up at key installations.
The Special Protection Force of the State police has increased security at
dams and power units. Miryalguda DSP Lakshmi Narayana said that security had
been tightened at Nagarjunasagar dam. "We are on the lookout for suspicious
elements and checking vehicles," he said.
