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LeT proxy strikes on anniv of Batla House encounter Read more: LeT proxy strikes on anniv of Batla House encounter - Th

NEW DELHI: Preliminary investigation into the Jama Masjid shooting and rudimentary car bomb explosion on the anniversary of the Batla House shootout in the Capital seems to confirm Indian Mujahideen's involvement, attesting to the claim made by the terror group which was behind the spate of terror attacks across several cities between 2007 and 2009. With this, the terror group, which was forced to lie low after the arrests of its members and the elimination of its commander Atif Amin in the Batla House encounter, has demonstrated its intent and capability to launch fresh attacks on Indian cities, exposing the vulnerability of the law-enforcement apparatus in the process. It has threatened more attacks in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games in Indian cities, and has warned the participants to stay away. While sources were wary of making a definitive conclusion, their estimate at this stage of investigation is strongly pointing to the role of IM which was launched by the ISI with the specific objective of masking the role of ISI and Lashkar in the series of bombing attacks on urban centres in India. The assessment is based on a number of factors; above all, the fact that the group chose the anniversary of Batla House to announce its return. The killing of Atif Amin had dealt a big blow to the group which unleashed a wave of terror attacks between 2007 and 2009, savaging Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur Surat and Faizabad. According to investigating agencies, Amin was the chief bomber of the group. In the email it sent owning up the attack on Sunday, it defiantly declared, "In the name of Allah we dedicate this attack of retribution to martyrs, Shaheed Atif Amin and Shaheed Muhammad Sajid (may Allah bestow mercy upon them) who proudly laid down their lives valiantly fighting the idol worshippers Delhi Police on this day." Secondly, the signature of the sender, Al Arbi, of the email claiming responsibility for the "attack of retribution" tallies with those in the emails that were sent to media houses after earlier terror outrages which were traced to the IM gang. Third, the mail was sent just after a rudimentary explosive device in a car went off; the near-synchronicity was perhaps meant to lend credence to IM's claim. The mention of specific instances of alleged atrocities in Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh is reminiscent of IM's outrage over similar incidents in the two states with known pockets of SIMI, the outlawed radical group from which many IM cadre come. The investigators, suspecting IM's hand, are not distracted by the lack of sophistication and lethality in the attacks. They feel that it could be meant to avoid casualties in the vicinity of the historic mosque. "The devices used may have been non-lethal by design; the intent certainly was not," said a senior source. Above all, the selection of foreign tourists fits in perfectly with the known plan of the ISI-Lashkar combine to set off attacks on Indian targets ahead of the Commonwealth Games as part of their larger plot under the Karachi Project, first reported by TOI. A thick pile of evidence has repeatedly brought out the anxiety of the masterminds of Karachi Project -- a plot involving serving and retired officers of ISI, Lashkar and jehadi modules -- to organise fresh terror attacks in India to project the country as a risky destination. The email was sent to British Broadcasting Corporation and a foreign news agency, instead of, as in the past, Indian media groups. The switch of pattern is suspected to be meant to scare away the participants and potential spectators. The email sent on Sunday vividly brings out the plot. Referring to alleged atrocities on Muslims in J&K, Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, the email dares the government to go ahead with the Games. "On the one hand Muslim blood is flowing like water while on the other hand you are preparing for the festival of games. This is surely not a child's play. Mind you this is the initiative from the Lions of Allah... We know that the preparations for the Games are at its peak; beware! We are also preparing in full swing for a Great Surprise! The participants will be solely responsible for the outcome as our bands of Mujahideen love death more than you love life," the email says. Early on in the email, Al Arbi warns that the group could activate its sleeper cells. "We will now rightfully play Holi with your blood in your own cities. Scores of fidayeen are restless to drop the evil ones into the hellfire," it says.

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