Al-Qaeda warns India of more 26/11-like attacks

Lahore: The Al-Qaeda has warned India that it could face a repeat of last year's terror attacks in Mumbai if it initiates military action against Pakistan.

The BBC says that it has received a video in which Al-Qaeda leader Sheikh Mustafa Abu Yazeed, who was believed to have been killed in a US drone strike in August 2008, warns, “India should know that it will have to pay a heavy price if it attacks Pakistan.

“We will bring mujahideen and suicide attackers from all over the Muslim world to confront you (India).

“They will target your economic centers and raze them to the ground.”

The 20-minute video also attacked the Pakistan Government for succumbing to international pressure and banning militant outfits after the Mumbai attacks. This is the first time, since 9/11, that the Al-Qaeda has targeted India directly.

A K Antony
Al-Qaeda threat not New forces on high alert

Warnings by the Al-Qaeda were not new, Indian intelligence officials said in New Delhi, on Tuesday as they began examining the video.

“We will examine the video closely as it is in Arabic. But such threats are not new. There have been earlier threats as well but the security regimen which is in place now shows that our forces are on high alert,” said a top intelligence official who could not be identified because of service protocol.

India to face any threat from anywhere: Antony

India on Tuesday asserted that it was prepared for any eventuality after the Al-Qaeda threatened it. “Our army is ready to face any threat from anywhere,” said defence minister A K Antony, reacting to the video.