On the lookout: India issues nationwide terror alert

India increases security after receiving information that Lashkar-e-Taiba planning attack over New Year weekend.

India increased security in major cities across the country on Tuesday after receiving information that a militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was planning an attack over New Year’s weekend, The Associated Press reported.

More police were deployed, including in India’s financial capital, Mumbai. Airports and railway stations and the popular beach resort state of Goa all tightened security, an official of the home ministry said on condition of anonymity.

India has taken even minor terror threats seriously since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Police have been searching for four men who they believe entered Mumbai to carry out a terrorist attack. Computer-aided photographs of the four suspects were released.

House-to-house searches were made in some parts of Mumbai as security was tightened at public places.

In March, Mumbai police said they prevented a major terrorist strike after they arrested two Indian men who were to hit several targets in the city. In September, police issued a terror alert for the city during a Hindu festival, saying they had information that two militants were planning a terror strike; acting on directions from handlers in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2010.