US warns of terror attacks; 'very innocuous': Delhi
The Indian government said it had taken all security measures to thwart such strikes.
By Agencies |
NEW DELHI: The US on Friday warned of attacks here and in Mumbai by "foreign terrorists" including Al Qaeda around the Independence Day but the government termed the warning as "very innocuous" and said it had taken all security measures to thwart such strikes.
In an advisory to its citzens in India, the US Embassy here said it had learnt that terrorists including Al Qaeda members "allegedly intend" to carry out serial bomb attacks from today till August 16 and the likely targets are major airports, key government offices and crowded places, including hotels and markets, in the two cities.
The warning, which came a day after a terror plot targeting airliners was foiled in Britain and amidst heightened security across India ahead of Independence Day, asked US citizens to maintain a low profile and be "especially alert". Reacting to the warning, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal described it as "very innocuous" and asserted every possible measure has been put in place to thwart attempts by militant groups to unleash terror ahead of or during Independence Day.
"It is normal for a mission to issue advisories whenever they have information. We too do the same thing. They do their security bandobast based on that. It is a very innocuous advisory," he told reporters. Duggal, however, refrained from commenting on the presence of foreign terrorists in the country. He repeatedly ducked questions whether there was any presence of Al Qaeda in the country. "I have only seen the advisory and there is no intelligence input shared with us."
In an advisory to its citzens in India, the US Embassy here said it had learnt that terrorists including Al Qaeda members "allegedly intend" to carry out serial bomb attacks from today till August 16 and the likely targets are major airports, key government offices and crowded places, including hotels and markets, in the two cities.
The warning, which came a day after a terror plot targeting airliners was foiled in Britain and amidst heightened security across India ahead of Independence Day, asked US citizens to maintain a low profile and be "especially alert". Reacting to the warning, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal described it as "very innocuous" and asserted every possible measure has been put in place to thwart attempts by militant groups to unleash terror ahead of or during Independence Day.
"It is normal for a mission to issue advisories whenever they have information. We too do the same thing. They do their security bandobast based on that. It is a very innocuous advisory," he told reporters. Duggal, however, refrained from commenting on the presence of foreign terrorists in the country. He repeatedly ducked questions whether there was any presence of Al Qaeda in the country. "I have only seen the advisory and there is no intelligence input shared with us."
Intelligence sources were skeptical about the warning, saying there has been no evidence so far of Al Qaeda's presence in the country.
Meanwhile, Britain on Friday froze the assets of 19 of the 24 people arrested on suspicion of plotting to detonate explosives on ten US-bound flights.
Naming the 19 suspects, the Bank of England said it would be an offence to make their money available without a licence from the Treasury.
Ed Balls, economic secretary to the Treasury, said in a statement that the decision to take financial action was taken on the advice of police and security services.
"The Treasury has instructed the Bank of England to issue notices to effect a freeze of the assets of a number of individuals arrested in yesterday's operations," he said.
This was done under the terms of the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001, he said.
"The Treasury will review the need for further use of our asset-freezing powers as we receive further advice from the police and security services."
Meanwhile, Britain on Friday froze the assets of 19 of the 24 people arrested on suspicion of plotting to detonate explosives on ten US-bound flights.
Naming the 19 suspects, the Bank of England said it would be an offence to make their money available without a licence from the Treasury.
Ed Balls, economic secretary to the Treasury, said in a statement that the decision to take financial action was taken on the advice of police and security services.
"The Treasury has instructed the Bank of England to issue notices to effect a freeze of the assets of a number of individuals arrested in yesterday's operations," he said.
This was done under the terms of the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001, he said.
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"The Treasury will review the need for further use of our asset-freezing powers as we receive further advice from the police and security services."
The Bank of England released the following names - Umir Hussain, 24; Muhammed Usman Saddique, 24; Waheed Zaman, 22; Assan Abdullah Khan, 22; Waheed Arafat Khan, 24; Cossor Ali, 24; Ibrahim Savant, 26; Osman Adam Khatib, 20; Amin Asmin Tariq, 23; Tanvir Hussain, 24; Abdullah Ali, 26; Abdul Muneem Patel, 17 -- all from London; Waseem Kayani, 28; Shazad Khuram Ali, 27; Umar Islam, 28 (born Brian Young); Assad Sarwar, 25 -- all from High Wycombe; Tabib Rauf, 21 Birmingham; Shamin Mohammed Uddin, 36, Stoke Newington; and Nabeel Hussain, 21, Waltham Forest.
Britain remains on a "critical" level of alert and the 24 suspects are being questioned by anti-terrorism police.
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