No specific input given on threat to Narendra Modi: Intelligence Bureau

NEW DELHI: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) had told the Bihar Police on October 23 that it had “no specific input” regarding a threat to political leaders during BJP’s Hunkar rally but said the possibility of an attack on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had gone up because of the “current political dynamics.”

The contents of the IB letter ----number V-111PA 2013 (3) ---- reviewed by ET show that the Centre feared that multiple events, such as the arrest of Indian Mujahedeen chief Yasin Bhatkal, perceptions of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi emerging as a “leader of the Hindu community” has heightened the threat to the Gujarat CM from many radical Muslim groups. The “current political dynamics” with Modi having been appointed the Prime Ministerial candidate by the BJP would also enhance the threat, the IB feared.

But beyond these generalities the letter shows that IB had no information on any specific plot being hatched by Indian Mujahedeen (IM) cadres from Ranchi to carry out serial blasts at Modi’s rally in Patna – advance intelligence on which could have helped thwart the plot.

The lack of specifics, it seems, had led Bihar DGP Abhay Anand to dismiss the IB missive “generic and routine” in nature.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Monday had termed the IB letter as a “specific alert” about a threat to Modi’s life.