After Paris attacks, India on high alert; Home Ministry warns states of possible IS attack

Security forces have been asked to increase vigil and post additional police personnel

New Delhi

: Government has ordered heightened security in diplomatic missions, especially those of France, the US, the UK, Germany, Russia, Australia, Turkey and Israel, in the wake of series of terror attacks by ISIS in Paris.

In an advisory, the Home Ministry said the recent multiple terror attacks in Paris, clearly indicate the intention of the outfit (ISIS) to expand the area of terror action beyond the core area of Iraq and Syria.

-"It is therefore necessary that security establishment is kept on high alert to prevent any untoward incident,-" the advisory sent on Monday said.

Accordingly, suitable preventive measures may be taken at and around foreign missions and other establishments or symbolic sites including synagogues, 'Chabad Houses', tourist spots and community facilities frequently visited by foreigners.

-"The security arrangements for the diplomatic establishments of France, USA, UK, Germany, Russia, Australia, Turkey and Israel may be particularly reviewed and strengthened,-" it said.

The Home Ministry said though the ISIS has not been able to establish any significant presence in India, its success in radicalising some youth, attracting certain sections of local population or Indian diaspora to physically participate in its activities or the possibility of piggy backing on terrorist groups operating in India have opened up the possibility of ISIS sponsored terrorist action on Indian territory.

-"Available inputs about ISIS activities should be immediately reviewed to identify plans, targets areas vulnerable to attack by ISIS and appropriate action is taken to neutralise potential threat if any,-" the advisory said.

India is alert to the threat posed by terrorist group Islamic State following attacks in Paris, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

-"ISIS is not a threat for any particular country but for the entire world. India is alert about ISIS,-" he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Police and state governments have been asked to beef up security including at all foreign embassies and consulates. Security forces have been asked to increase vigil and post additional police personnel outside all embassies and high commissions here and consulates in different cities across the country. Security forces were also asked to keep a tight vigil at airports, railway stations, bus terminus, markets and religious places.

Sources said the step has been taken as a precautionary measure as terrorists of banned Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) and Indian Mujahideen have been conspiring to target foreign missions in India.

LeT has details of various Chabad houses as the Pakistani-American citizen David Headley, at present undergoing 35-year prison term in Chicago, had carried out reconnaissance at these places.

A series of terror attacks in Paris targeting concert-goers, soccer fans and people enjoying a Friday night out at popular nightspots killed at least 129 people.

At least two explosions took place near the Stade de France national stadium where a France-Germany friendly soccer match was being played, attended by President Francois Hollande.

After the attacks, Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country's borders.

Indian security establishment suggests that around 20-odd Indians are currently fighting for ISIS in Iraq-Syria. They include two youths from Kalyan in the outskirts of Mumbai, an Australia-based Kashmiri, one youth from Telangana, one from Karnataka, one Oman-based Indian and another Singapore-based Indian.

Last year, a youth from Kalyan had returned home after spending about six-months with ISIS. He was arrested upon arrival in Mumbai.

Among the six Indians, who fought alongside ISIS and got killed were three Indian Mujahideen terrorists, including Sultan Ajmer Shah and Bada Sajid, who had joined its ranks after being in Pakistan, two from Maharashtra and one from Telangana.

On September 15, the UAE deported four Indians suspected to have links with ISIS.

The UAE had also sent back in September a 37-year-old woman, Afsha Jabeen alias Nicky Joseph, who was allegedly involving in recruiting youths for ISIS.

In January, Salman Mohiuddin of Hyderabad was arrested at Hyderabad airport when he was preparing to board a flight to Dubai on way to Syria via Turkey.

So far, 17 young men, mostly from Telangana, have been prevented from travelling to Syria, ostensibly to join ISIS.