4 Lashkar terrorists who entered Mumbai could be foreigners: Police
'The nationality of the four terrorists could not be ascertained yet, but they do not appear to be Indians. They could be from other country or countries,' Mumbai police commissioner Sanjeev Dayal said.
Four alleged members of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who sneaked into the city to carry out "violent" attacks, could be "foreigners" and are believed to have infiltrated into the country from the Bangladeshi border, police said."The nationality of the four terrorists could not be ascertained yet, but they do not appear to be Indians. They could be from other country or countries," Mumbai police commissioner Sanjeev Dayal said.The city police yesterday said that four suspected LeT operatives have sneaked into Mumbai recently to carry out "violent" attacks with the aim of causing "destruction" ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations."The four jihadis were identified as Abdul Kareem Moosa, Noor Abu Ilahi, Walid Jinnah and Mahfooz Alam. The four recently sneaked into the city to carry out extremely dangerous activities," joint police commissioner (crime) Himanshu Roy had told reporters last night.Roy had released a sketch of Jinnah and issued an advisory to the citizens of the metropolis to remain alert.Sources said they had received information that the LeT operatives had sneaked into the country through the borders of Bangladesh."There is also a possibility that Jinnah could have changed his appearance, as his sketch was released. They were co-ordinating with the state and central intelligence agencies to track them down," said a senior police official, requesting anonymity.On Tuesday, the Centre sounded a terror alert for Mumbai and Ahmedabad following specific Intelligence inputs that the LeT teams may have entered the two cities to carry out strikes. Mumbai police has formed Special cells in a bid to "neutralise" the four terrorists. The police have also set up dedicated phone number - 022-22633333 - to enable people pass on information about the militants and in the event of an emergency.In September, police released photographs of two suspected HuJI members - Kalimuddin Khan and Hafij Khijir Ulla Sarif - on the eve of Eid and Ganeshotsav festivities. But the duo could not be traced.A crime branch source said that Kalimuddin was a Pakistani and Sarif was from Bangladesh.Police were taking utmost precautions and massive deployment of police have been made at all sensitive locations, worship places and crowded places to ensure safety of the citizens.A three dimensional security apparatus has been put in place, particularly around the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the sites of the 26/11 carnage. Roads near the iconic Taj remained closed since yesterday for 15 days and the area is under complete surveillance.Parking on the roads around Taj has been banned for the same period and the cars of guests of Taj and residents around the hotel would be allowed but only after thorough checking.The sea-front up to five nautical miles was being guarded round the clock by police armed with advanced boats and sophisticated equipment, police said, adding, they are also co-ordinating with navy and coast guard officials who are conducting air surveillance.