Centre sounds alert as Al-Qaeda terror video targets India
5 Sept 2014 5:43 AM IST
Speaking to media persons, Singh said he has already briefed the matter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about the Al-Qaeda terror video threatening to take the outfit’s campaign to India. ‘Our ministry is verifying the authenticity of the video,’ he said.
On Wednesday, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announced the formation of an Indian branch of his militant group and stressed that he would spread Islamic rule and ‘raise the flag of jihad’ across the subcontinent. In a 55-minute video, which was posted online, the Al-Qaeda leader also renewed a longstanding vow of loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, in an apparent snub to the Islamic State armed group challenging al-Qaida for leadership of transnational Islamist militancy.
Al-Zawahiri said the new wing would rescue Muslims from injustice and oppression.With the video going viral since Wednesday, the union home minister hurriedly called for a meeting to discuss the threat to India. The home ministry has asked IB officials to verify the authenticity of the Al-Qaeda video and has put several states on alert.
The Intelligence Bureau has also alerted police stations across the country over the new terror threat, according to reports. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Raw chief Alok Joshi had an hour-long meeting with Singh and assured him that elaborate steps have been taken to deal with any threat perception from such terrorists groups. 63-year-old Zawahiri, an eye surgeon from Egypt, is one of the most dreaded Al-Qaeda leaders. For over a decade he has dodged drone strikes and hit squads by hiding in Pakistan and Afghanistan. After the 11 September attacks, US State Department offered a US$25 million reward for information leading to his apprehension.
Meanwhile, the BJP said the NDA government will take all necessary steps to face the challenge thrown open by Al-Qaeda chief’s declaration of a new terror outfit in South Asia. ‘This is a matter of serious concern. We have a very strong government at the Centre. The government will take a note of it, and surely will see to it that whatever action we have to take against this will be done,’ BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
On Wednesday, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announced the formation of an Indian branch of his militant group and stressed that he would spread Islamic rule and ‘raise the flag of jihad’ across the subcontinent. In a 55-minute video, which was posted online, the Al-Qaeda leader also renewed a longstanding vow of loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, in an apparent snub to the Islamic State armed group challenging al-Qaida for leadership of transnational Islamist militancy.
Al-Zawahiri said the new wing would rescue Muslims from injustice and oppression.With the video going viral since Wednesday, the union home minister hurriedly called for a meeting to discuss the threat to India. The home ministry has asked IB officials to verify the authenticity of the Al-Qaeda video and has put several states on alert.
The Intelligence Bureau has also alerted police stations across the country over the new terror threat, according to reports. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Raw chief Alok Joshi had an hour-long meeting with Singh and assured him that elaborate steps have been taken to deal with any threat perception from such terrorists groups. 63-year-old Zawahiri, an eye surgeon from Egypt, is one of the most dreaded Al-Qaeda leaders. For over a decade he has dodged drone strikes and hit squads by hiding in Pakistan and Afghanistan. After the 11 September attacks, US State Department offered a US$25 million reward for information leading to his apprehension.
Meanwhile, the BJP said the NDA government will take all necessary steps to face the challenge thrown open by Al-Qaeda chief’s declaration of a new terror outfit in South Asia. ‘This is a matter of serious concern. We have a very strong government at the Centre. The government will take a note of it, and surely will see to it that whatever action we have to take against this will be done,’ BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
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