Warning of the possibility of a 26/11-like attack in the city through the sea route in the next two-three months, the GRP commissioner has written to the ATS and top police officials, asking them to stay alert
The GRP commissioner has sent a letter to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and all the top police officials in the city warning of the possibility of a 26/11-like attack taking place in Mumbai in the next two-three months.
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Citing intelligence that he has received, the letter (a copy of which is with mid-day) by Dr Ravinder Singal states that the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is planning a large-scale attack in the country. He says that the information suggests that 8-10 Pakistani terrorists, all of whom are expected to be suicide bombers, will enter Mumbai through the sea route and target railway stations and posh hotels.
File pic of 26/11 attack on Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. Pic/ AFP
The letter, written on April 1, states, “8 to 10 suicide bombers will enter the city through the sea and attack important railway stations and hotels in Mumbai. Their associates in the city will help them with the details. The attacks may take place in two-three months.”
Speaking to mid-day, a very senior IPS officer confirmed this, “It is true and we are working on it. We don’t want to cause panic in Mumbai. I cannot divulge further details.”
'Stay alert'
The letter asks all police officials to take extra precautions and increase security checks and round-ups. It asks officers in police stations close to railway stations to ask their men to perform security checks in the station areas.
The letter calls upon officials from the intelligence department, ATS and other intelligence agencies to hold an immediate meeting to figure out the strategy to combat the threat. The GRP commissioner also asked officials to activate their informer network and initiate combing operations.