Delhi cops on high alert after intel inputs on fidayeen strikes

In 2001, JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants had carried out a terror strike at the Parliament. In December 2014 ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit, a similar alert was issued to the police.

“Investigation into the Samba attack, which took place on March 21, revealed that the JeM has planned to carry out a terror strike in Delhi. This attack may be similar to the one that they had carried out at the Samba Army camp in J&K,” the advisory said. On March 21, two JeM terrorists had opened fire at the Army camp on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway in Samba. However, both the terrorists were killed in counter attack. A day before, the two had stormed a police station in J&K’s Kathua district, killing 16 people, including three security personnel and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). This was a ‘fidayeen’ attack.

According to sources, Pakistan-based handlers of LeT and JeM commanders in Kashmir have changed their tactics for 2015. “These outfits have started involving new militants to carry out terror strikes in J&K. Some have been specially trained to attack metropolitan cities, including Delhi,” said sources.

Investigations into the attacks revealed that three JeM militants had conducted a recce of some areas in the national Capital. Investigation officials said militants are likely to carry out a terror strike, especially ‘fidyaeen’ attack, in Delhi soon. Some of the earlier attacks in India have jointly been carried out LeT and JeM militants. “A few groups of infiltrators, comprising both LeT and JeM militants, will carry out fidayeen attacks in the country,” the source added.