The U.S. government is publicity warning U.S. citizens in India that terror attacks are likely to occur. The U.S. embassy in New Delhi is calling for all American citizens to be on high alert and “maintain a high level of vigilance and increase their security awareness,” at religious sites, festivals, markets, and any public events.
Several alleged terrorists were arrested last month for their connection to an ISIS cell in Kerala, India that had planned attacks for Diwali, an Indian holiday, that began on October 30. The U.S. government is urging all American citizens to be on high alert for the full four day duration of the holiday. The arrests last month may have prevented attacks planned for Diwali. Lisa Curtis, a Heritage Foundation senior research fellow, said:
“These arrests may have led to additional information about the ISIS terror threat in India,”
Ali Riaz, a professor at Illinois State University, states that the Indian jihadi’s were likely connected to ISIS affiliated terrorist groups in Bangladesh. He claims that ISIS has been able to successfully tap into existing terrorist groups in both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Once these Jihadis have declared their loyalty to ISIS it is believed they travel to India.
Once stationed in India these Jihadis can transport weapons, that are easier to obtain in India, to their fellow terrorists in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The can also focus on recruiting and planning large-scale coordinated attacks. Riaz believes the terrorist group’s main focus is avenging attacks against Muslims in India.
The Australian government has followed in America’s footsteps and also issued a similar warning to Australian citizens traveling in India.
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