Guided missile destroyer INS Rajput firing BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

There are intelligence inputs on possibility of terror attacks on installations like ports, cargo ships and oil tankers in India by Pakistan-based terrorist groups

New Delhi/Mumbai: A report claimed on Friday that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists, based out of Pakistan, may be planning attacks on installations like ports, cargo ships and oil tankers in India. Following the intelligence input, the Navy and the Coast Guard have been placed on high alert. The alert comes in the backdrop of reports that the LeT has been increasing its capabilities over the past few months to strike India via sea.

The report has been published in today’s edition of the Hindustan Times and quotes Pakistan watchers and counter-terrorism officials here. The report claims terrorists are also being trained in swimming and deep diving by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), another Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.

It may be recalled that 26/11 accused David Coleman Headley had, while being questioned by the National Investigation Agency in 2010 in connection with the Mumbai attacks, had talked about the marine wing. Headley had also shockingly claimed that the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, had been trained by Pakistan Navy’s deep sea divers. Over the next three days, 164 people were killed and more than 300 injured.

As per intelligence inputs which the Navy and the Coast Guard have received, it has been learnt that LeT’s affiliate organisations like Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, Al Dawa Water Rescue, Life Line Water Rescue and Rescue Mili Foundation have been training terrorists in deep water diving at several locations in Punjab province since June this year, the report quoted officials as saying.

Indian officials believe the LeT terrorists could employ the strategy of hijacking cargo ships or oil tankers on high seas and then use them to hit at Indian ports. The plane may also be to push suicide attackers through sea and inland water channels.

JeM, on the other hand, has been training its cadre in ‘Samundri Jihad’ in Bhawalpur.