Is Asia’s largest prison, Tihar Jail, the next target of terrorists? The jail authorities have been recently warned by the Union home ministry of a possible fidayeen attack by the militant outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba, to free their associates lodged in the prison. According to sources, Tihar jail authorities have received a letter from home ministry asking them to tighten security around the jail keeping in view Intelligence inputs that LeT militants are planning a strike on Tihar jail.The sources added that Intelligence agencies had received inputs that there was a serious threat to Tihar jail and suicide bombers were planning to strike to free their cadre. More than 50 members of LeT, including some high profile militants, are currently lodged in Tihar. Security around the prison complex has been increased. “Security personnel are keeping a vigilant eye on movements in and around Tihar. Every single movement near the jail is under the scanner. Personnel of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Tamil Nadu Special Police are maintaining a close watch,” a senior Tihar jail official said.
“In the letter, the home department has advised senior jail officials to personally supervise security arrangements,” the sources added. The home ministry missive assumes more importance in the wake of the recent arrest of three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists ~ Mohammad Abid, Mohammad Yusuf and Mirza Rashid Baig ~ all Pakistani nationals, who were arrested in Lucknow on 16 November by UP STF. They had revealed to the police that they had plans to kidnap Congress general secretary, Mr Rahul Gandhi to secure a swap deal for 42 dreaded terrorists lodged in various Indian jails.
On 23 November, at least 13 persons, including four lawyers, were killed while 60 others were injured when serial bomb blasts went off in three court complexes in Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi. Meanwhile, a home ministry official said that though the Centre had been providing all necessary inputs and logistical support to the state governments to crack terror outfits, they were not doing enough. The official said that the record of the past few years of police investigations in terror-related incidents presents a dismal picture.