Indian agencies warn of possible attacks on Israelis

Authorities in subcontinent say al-Qaeda affiliated operatives may be planning to carry out terror acts during High Holidays

Indian security agencies have voiced concerns that Islamist extremists and al-Qaeda affiliated operatives may try to carry out terror attacks against Israeli tourists during the Jewish High Holiday season, according to reports in Indian media.

The country’s Ministry of Home Affairs advised Israelis on Wednesday to be alert when traveling both alone and in a group, as well as when taking part in gatherings in Indian cities and tourist sites, India Today reported. The ministry added that it would seek to heighten security for Israelis traveling in India.

Officials at Israel’s Counter Terrorism Bureau, however, sought to downplay the severity of the security agencies’ warnings, insisting that there were no specific or concrete threats to Israelis in India, Channel 2 reported.

But, concurrently, continued the report, the Israeli authorities have been working together with Indian security forces to ensure that Israeli citizens are sufficiently protected during the High Holiday season.

The Home Affairs Ministry’s warning came nearly six years after a series of attacks by members of a Pakistan-based terror group left 166 people dead in the Indian city of Mumbai, including six at the Mumbai Chabad house, which was targeted along with luxury hotels, a train station and a popular cafe.

Mumbai's Chabad House, where Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, 29, his wife, Rivka, and four other hostages were killed by Islamist terrorists in November 2008. The couple's young son survived the attack, thanks to his Indian nanny. (photo credit: Serge Attal/Flash90) — Mumbai’s Chabad House, where Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, 29, his wife, Rivka, and four other hostages were killed by Islamist terrorists in November 2008. (photo credit: Serge Attal/Flash90)

Last month, the Chabad movement inaugurated a new center at the rebuilt Nariman House, after years of moving between temporary homes.

Security around Jewish and Israeli sites in India was upped after the attacks.

In 2012, a bomb exploded next to the car of the Israeli military attache’s wife in New Delhi, injuring her and reigniting terrorism fears in the subcontinent.

Last week, India placed several states on high alert after al-Qaeda launched a new branch to “wage jihad” in South Asia, seeking to invigorate its waning Islamist extremist movement

Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri said the new operation would take the fight to Myanmar, Bangladesh and India, which has a large — albeit traditionally moderate — Muslim population.

Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in a still image from a web posting by the terrorist organization's media arm, as-Sahab, July 27, 2011 (photo credit: AP) — Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a still image from a web posting by the terrorist organization’s media arm, as-Sahab, July 27, 2011 (photo credit: AP)

In a video statement on Wednesday, al-Zawahiri singled out Assam, Gujarat and Kashmir — Indian regions with large Muslim populations — along with Bangladesh and Myanmar as territories the new organization would target.

“This entity was not established today, but is the fruit of a blessed effort of more than two years to gather the mujahideen in the Indian subcontinent into a single entity,” he said.

AFP and JTA contributed to this report