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| CM on militants’ hit list | | Security around Azad strengthened | | Govind Chouhan
Jammu | Jan 5
The security around Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is reportedly on the militants’ hit list, has been further beefed up. According to the highly placed sources intelligence agencies have warned of possible infiltration of militant outfit Lahkar-e-Toiba into the Chief Minister security net.
According to sources, Azad has been on the target of terror groups on various occasions. but this time the threat is higher as confirmed by the sources as a result of which special personnel and other agencies have been put on maximum alert to thwart any misadventure. Following these reports the security around the Chief Minister’s official residence has been further beefed up and any body desiring to meet CM is thoroughly frisked. The securities agencies are carrying out a complete review of his security especially the places of his visit as also that of his official residence. A large number of security personnel have been deputed near the CM house.
Intelligence agencies received inputs more than once in the past couple of weeks that Lashkar cadres are trying to get close to Azad in some manner and have possibly identified "assets" in the security net guarding the CM. Sources said after the information, the security agencies are on tenterhooks to foil any such attempt. Sources said the agencies received the information from their own sources and also discussed the matter with other security agencies and also reported the matter to central government that the militants are planning to attack the CM.
On specific information about the presence of some militants who are planning to target the CM, the security forces have also launched search operations in some selected areas . It may be recalled that on Early Times in its issue of January 1, had published an exclusive news item that the militants are planning to setup a transit camp in the city for carrying out attacks before the Republic day. Sources said after the Benazir Bhutto’s assassination all security agencies have been put on high alert to foil the possible attack of the terrorists.
According to the sources the reports emanating from Pakistan indicate that ISI is planning to carry out some attacks on political leaders and VIPs and the CM is reportedly on the top of the list of the LeT cadre.
In view of these intelligence inputs, CM has been advised to refrain from visiting the militancy infested areas. It may be recalled that CM had already escaped several militant attacks in the past .
On September 18 last Jammu and Kashmir police and army foiled an attempt to attack Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and shot dead two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in a fierce encounter, in which one Army Major and a Sub Inspector of Police were among four persons who sustained injuries, in Bhaderwah area of mountainous Doda district whn the Chief Minister was supposed to visit his home constituency to address a public meeting at Chinot.
On 26 April 2007 a plot to assassinate the Chief Minister in a suicide attack at a rally in Bandipore was also foiled by police with the arrest of three militants including a Pak National. Security agencies had then received information that the LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen outfits have hatched a joint conspiracy to assassinate the Chief Minister at Bandipore rally
A top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant Showkat Ahmed along with two associates were arrested. They included one Pakistani, Abu Sikander.
On April 14, police had arrested four persons including a couple for plotting to kill the Chief Minister. A Pakistani Fidayeen, who had to execute the task, had managed to escape minutes before the arrival of Azad. One of the accused was holding a fake identity card of Congress.
Reports said after the Butto’s assassination, the central government is perturbed that the militants may attack on some political personalities and has asked the security agencies to look over the matter. National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan sent a security advisory to all Chief Ministers urging caution in public appearances in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. |
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