FBI Official
rushes from Islamabad to New Delhi
Indians
Put Security Forces on Red Alert After Ben Laden Sighting in Laddakh
By
Arun Rajnath
NEW
DELHI, October 25: Fugitive Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has
been spotted in the Tibet-Laddakh region, close to the North-Eastern
tip of Pakistan, bordering India and China, Indian and US officials
believe.
A
high-ranking official of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) flew from Islamabad on Sunday to meet top Indian officials
here in Delhi after reports of Bin Laden’s presence in the
region.
According
to sources, following the meeting between Indian security bosses
and the FBI, the New Delhi Government has put its security forces
in the North Western region, specially the Kashmir Valley, on
'red alert.'
Vigilance
on the Kargil-Leh Highway and area along the Tibetan border has
also been increased. Security forces are likely to undertake combing
operations in the Laddakh region before the start of snowfall.
These
sources in the Indian Home Ministry told this correspondent that
intelligence agencies had received information that Bin Laden
has been spotted traveling. Some such reports were also published
in a section of the Pakistan media.
Sources
say the FBI official flew into Delhi from Pakistan to hold talks
with Indian officials in New Delhi. At their meeting, chiefs of
the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI), intelligence units of the Border Security Force (BSF),
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Indian Army officers were
present.
Indian
officials believe Bin Laden may have reached Laddakh from the
Pak administrated Kashmir where they think he may have been helped
by some Jihadi or even sympathetic elements in the Pakistani forces.
Officials
are also expressing concern over increased activity of foreign
nationals along the LoC. Though there are no concrete reports
on Pak Army’s support to these foreign nationals, Indian
Home Ministry officials feel that some supporters in the ISI may
be providing help. An ISI official, Ejaz Khan, has already been
identified by the Indian security agencies for helping militants
to cross over into the Indian territory.
Officials
working with different security agencies said though the border
fence along the LoC, which was expected to be completed this year,
had raised hurdles for the infiltrators, militants manage to sneak
into the Indian territory from across Poonch and Rajauri.
Meanwhile,
five additional battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) have been called in to
fortify all spots of tourist interest besides camps and bases
of the Army. Multi-tier anti-infiltration arrangements have been
made. The ITBP has also been put on full alert.
Security
officials feel the militants have once again succeeded in scaring
away outsiders from the Valley, and foreign nationals’ presence
on the other side of Kashmir could aim at fortifying the bases
of militants to facilitate them to launch fresh attacks on army
establishments and other sensitive targets.
Sources
in the Home Ministry say Indian Border Security Force deployed
in the Valley had intercepted Jihadi leader Syed Salahuddin’s
message and a speech a few days back which revealed that various
militant outfits were gearing up to launch major attacks before
the snow starts falling. They have also been directed to intensify
their activities in Jammu region, Doda, Bhadrawah and Kishtwar.
Sources told this correspondent that Salahuddin’s speeches
were being transmitted on wireless sets available with the militants.
This information was immediately passed on to all concerned to
make pre-emptive arrangements.
The length of taped speeches transmitted on wireless is said to
be 10-15 minutes, and these broadcasts were being repeated several
times a day. Militants keep changing the frequencies to dodge
Indian army interceptors.
The
message called for carrying out attacks on security causes as
well as soft civilian targets hampering economic activity and
tourism in Kashmir.
