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| 'Warning hypothetical'; now says US | | | WASHINGTON, AUG 11
The US today said an advisory issued to American citizens in India about terror attacks in New Delhi and Mumbai around Independence Day possibly by members of al-Qaeda was only in "hypothetical terms" and that it has no plans to issue a travel warning.
The US embassy in New Delhi said in a 'Warden Message' that it had learnt that terrorists including Al Qaeda members "allegedly intend" to carry out bomb attacks from today till August 16 likely targeting airports, government offices and crowded places including hotels and markets in the two metros.
But India described the advisory 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.
State Department Acting Spokesman Tom Casey said "I really don't have much that's beyond what's in the warden message. But this does speak in somewhat more hypothetical terms in saying...possibly including members of" al-Qaeda.
"So it's not definitive information that is there, and we certainly weren't trying to convey that in the warden message. I think we certainly are concerned in general about activities not only of indigenous terrorist groups, but of the possibility of those linked or in any way associated with Al Qaida, any time there's possibilities like this," he added.
Asked if there are indications that this could raise to a travel warning, Casey replied, "I don't have anything at this point to announce for you. Obviously, we'll evaluate the information that we have and see if anything more than this is required.
Casey pointed out that the Warden Message was put out by the American embassy in New Delhi warning of a potential for terrorist attacks especially in the context of India celebrating its Independence Day on August 15 as also in the wake of the July 11 Mumbai serial train blasts.
"There have been previous attacks in India around this time of year in the past. Certainly with the train bombings that have occurred recently too, there's added concern since there have been terrorist incidents recently. I guess I would just try and put this in that general category," the Acting State Department Spokesman said.
"Certainly... we had information that came to our attention and that came to the attention of the Indian government that led us to be concerned about this possibility occurring again. And that's why we were alerting American citizens to it," the official added.
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