Intelligence on IEDs with magnets causes alarm

NEW DELHI: Intelligence agencies are learnt to have received specific inputs about Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) having smuggled “magnetic IEDs” to execute a terror strike before Independence Day. An alert accessed by TOI shows IEDs with magnets placed slightly apart. If the device is tilted or mishandled, the magnets will stick to each other, complete the circuit and activate the explosives.
“Such consignments have already been delivered to people inside Indian borders for execution of a terrorist action,” the alert reads. Police officers, railway police and paramilitary forces have been advised to exercise extra caution in case they discover suspicious objects over the next one week. The IEDs are estimated to have 2-3kg of explosives and “spring and toggle switch-based pressure mechanism” reportedly prepared under a Pakistan Army officer.
Like previous years, Pakistan-based terror outfits are learnt to have escalated efforts to target security establishments and forward posts. They have been vigorously pushing arms and ammunition into the country.
Alerts issued by security agencies in the last one week, which were accessed by TOI, unanimously pointed towards aggressive infiltration attempts. One of the inputs stated that around six Lashkar commanders under the leadership Mohammed Sadiq were currently based in Kotil in Pak-occupied Kashmir (POK) and may infiltrate into the country and target security establishments just before August 15.
Another input issued on August 9 stated that five Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were camping in Datote in POK along with their guide and had plans to carry out an IED blast near forward locations of security forces. There was also an input of August 8 about four Lashkar terrorists currently camping in Tundwala forest of POK, who could later move to the Kashmir valley.
In Delhi, police and other agencies have escalated security arrangements in the wake of these inputs. At Red Fort, a seven-layered security structure would be in place. Apart from the anti-drone system, police have arranged for special safe houses to escort dignitaries to in case of a contingency. Surveillance has been stepped up at nearby markets and vital installations in central Delhi.
The routes would be sanitised 24 hours prior to the ceremony. Visitors would be scanned for body temperature and oxygen saturation level. Policemen at the sole entry and exit gate would wear PPEs and there would be an isolation chamber to frisk the reduced number of guests.