‘Saffron terrorists be warned’: High alert in 4 cities after Al-Qaeda’s suicide bombing threat

Intelligence agencies and police in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are on high alert following a warning by terror group Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) to carry out suicide bombings in Indian cities in response to the recent remarks on Prophet Muhammad by two BJP leaders.

In a letter dated June 6, the terrorist organisation said that it would carry out suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat to “fight for the honour of our Prophet.”

“A few days ago, the propagators and flag bearers of Hindutva – a system and philosophy hostile to the religion and Shariah of Allah – insulted and slandered the purest of beings, the most honourable after God himself, Muhammad al Mustafa, Ahmad al Mujtaba, and his noble and pure wife, the mother of the believers, Sayyidah Ayesha bint Abu Bakr as Siddeeq in the most vile and evil manner on an Indian TV channel. In response to this affront the hearts of Muslims all over the world are bleeding and are filled with feelings of revenge and retribution,” Indian Express quoted the letter as saying.

In strong words, the letters says the outfit would exact revenge from “audacious Hindutva terrorists” through suicide bombings.

“We warn every audacious and impudent foul mouth of the world, especially the Hindutva terrorists occupying India that we should fight for the dignity of our Prophet, we should urge others to fight and die for the honour of our Prophet, we should kill those who affront our Prophet and we should bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet (sic),” the letter read.

It warns “saffron terrorists” to await their end in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, adding that neither their homes nor “fortified army cantonments” can provide them refuge.

A recent UN report said that the AQIS, a subordinate of the Al-Qaeda core, may be changing its focus from Afghanistan to Kashmir with the help of the Taliban government. The outfit has over 180 to 400 fighters spread drawn from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan.