Barack Obama's India visit: 3 states, Mumbai's Siddhivinayak in terror cross hairs

MUMBAI: Several places of worship in Rajasthan, UP, Odisha and Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple, have been put on high alert following intelligence inputs of four Pakistan-backed terror groups planning joint terror attacks in India to coincide with US President Barack Obama's visit.

The home ministry has asked security agencies across India, especially these four states, to take all steps to secure these sites.The Intelligence Bureau inputs state Jamat-Ud-Dawa, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-eMohammed have dispatched four terror modules, which may carry out the attacks before January 28.

In Mumbai, where Siddhivinayak has been named as a target, the inputs said the attack was likely to be carried out on a Tuesday or when there is a large crowd in and around the premises. Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria on Thursday held a meeting on the issue and increased security around Siddhivinayak temple.

What has security agencies worried is that it is the first time there is an input of different terror groups joining hands to carry out an attack in India. There have been several inputs on plans by the LeT or Hibzul Mujaheedin.

Four-day weekend for Gurgaon execs

The arrival of members of US president Barack Obama's delegation and elaborate security arrangements in Delhi have gifted a weekend windfall to thousands of corporate executives working in Gurgaon. Several companies have given employees either an optional holiday or a general holiday on Friday, making it a four-day weekend as Monday is an off day too because of Republic Day.A Nasscom official said over 100 IT firms have taken this decision anticipating traffic to be hit due to security measures.