Author: J Dey
Publication: Mid-Day
Date: January 25, 2007
URL: http://www.mid-day.com/news/city/2007/january/150761.htm
Intelligence reports with the Mumbai police
indicate that 500 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists trained by the Pakistan
Navy and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) will attack prime targets in
the city on January 26. The terrorists will infiltrate the city posing as
fishermen, gaining entry into India from Kori Creek in the Rann of Kutch.
Interrogation of a few militants arrested
recently has revealed that the men, some of who also belong to militant outfits
like the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen and the Jaesh-e-Muhammad, have undergone
rigorous training for 12 to 18, conducted in three phases.
The Joint Commissioner of Police K P Raghuvanshi
from the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) confirmed that an alert had been sounded
against terrorist attacks on Republic Day.
Sea-borne attacks
According to the intelligence report (a copy
of which is with MiD DAY), all the attacks will be sea-borne as the key targets
are all accessible by sea. The report names six strategic targets.
Attacks on VVIPs possible
These include the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
the offshore installations of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, the Governor's
bungalow at Malabar Hill, the US consulate at Breach Candy, naval detachments
and the docks at Mumbai and JNPT.
The State Intelligence Department has also
warned that some militant groups could attack VVIPs during the Republic Day
function in Mumbai.
BARC
India's premier nuclear research centre has received at least 24 threats so
far. It is accessible by sea as it abuts Thane creek
PORTS
Indira, Prince's and Victoria docks in the Mumbai harbour and JNPT in Nhava
Sheva are the most important ports on the west coast. JNPT handles 65% of
container traffic in India
US CONSULATE
On the hit list of al-Qaeda, a portion of this consulate at Breach Candy,
abuts the sea
OIL RIGS
Some of the 150 platforms and oil rigs at Bombay High are unmanned, while
security on others is lax. Thirty per cent of India's crude oil production
comes from these drilling platforms
Phases of training
Phase 1
Basic training where the terrorists are taught to swim.
Phase 2
Handling large boats, laying landmines in coastal zones and planting bombs
under dams, bridges and ships.
Phase 3
The final phase relates to training in navigational techniques, rescue operations,
surveillance methods, concealment of explosives and underwater attacks on
enemy targets and coastal vessels.
