Pakistani link to US terror plot, says Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday confirmed there was a definite Pakistani link to the terror plot uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US but said Indian security forces were capable of thwarting any attack.

"There is an obvious Pakistan link. If you have read the affidavit of the FBI agent filed in the court and reproduced in papers, there is a Pakistan link. David (Coleman) Headley visited Pakistan a number of times," Chidambaram told reporters after the passing out parade at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here.

"I think on the advise of the FBI, two or perhaps more persons have been arrested in Pakistan. There is a definite Pakistani link," he said.

This is the first reaction from Indian government to reports that terrorists were planning major attacks in India.

US citizen Headley, 49, and Pakistani-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussein Rana, 48, were arrested by the FBI in the US for plotting attacks in India at the behest of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).

They reportedly told FBI during their interrogation that LeT planned attacks on National Defence College in New Delhi, two high-profile boarding schools in northern India and tourist destinations frequented by foreigners ahead of 26/11 anniversary.

Chidambaram, however, declined to answer queries on possible terror attacks on the eve of the first anniversary of Mumbai attacks.

"If there are any targets I will not tell you in public," he shot back when asked if the intelligence agencies received any inputs on the possible terror targets.

"Don't create alarm. Security forces are vigilant and perfectly capable of thwarting any attack. There is no reason to raise any alarm," he said.

On Indian Mujahideen, he said it was some kind of virtual organisation.

"Lots of people and lot of groups claim that they belong to Indian Mujahideen. We have arrested a number of people who claim to operate under the name of Indian Mujahideen whenever there was evidence. We will continue to apprehend anyone who does violent act in the name of Indian Mujahideen," he said.

Last updated on Nov 6^th, 2009 at 13:18 pm IST--IANS