The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has warned of a possible human bomb attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Patna and rally in Muzaffarpur on Saturday.
IB has learnt that five terrorists owing allegiance to Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Students Islamic Movement of India (Simi) have sneaked into Bihar from the Nepal side. SSB personnel deployed to guard the porous border have been asked to intensify vigil. Senior Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officials have been asked to prepare a report in this connection.
Officials of the Special Protection Group (SPG) - who look after Prime Minister's security - didn't rule out a last-minute change in itinerary. It also suggested Patna airport be declared a "no flying zone" between 10am and 4pm in view of the threat. A decision would be taken after consulting civil aviation ministry and Airports Authority of India officials.
After the IB alert, SPG inspector-general Peeyush Pandey took stock of security arrangements. The police have put a three-tier security blanket in place at Patna and Muzaffarpur. The alert assumes significance given that Maoists have called a north Bihar bandh on Saturday against alleged police atrocities and framing of innocents under the garb of operations against rebels.
A senior Bihar police official said: "The IB has asked state government and SPG officials to be on alert for a possible human bomb attack during Modi's visit." The alert said the attack could be similar to Rajiv Gandhi's 1991 assassination and that well-trained women Maoists may be used as human bombs, an officer said under cover of anonymity. The bomber could be disguised as a journalist, security personnel, policeman, organiser, electrician, caterer or labourer.
Modi will be in Patna to launch the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Rashtriya Gram Jyoti Yojana and inaugurate the new campus of IIT-Patna at Bihta. He would attend two more functions before leaving for Muzaffarpur by chopper to possibly launch the BJP's Assembly campaign.
Inspector-general (operations) S.M. Khopade said: "We have deployed additional forces and all precautionary measures are being taken." Khopade, also in-charge of the Special Task Force (STF), said STF, CRPF# and SSB# personnel have been deployed to guard railway tracks, public places and vital installations.
Additional director-general (law and order) Alok Raj said: "I am not aware of any IB alert. But the state intelligence agency has certainly cautioned against disturbances during the Maoist bandh."
The state government's alleged apathy to deal with terror can be gauged from the fact that the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is working without a permanent inspector-general for the past three months. "Patna (zonal) IG Kundan Krishnan is holding additional charge of ATS though norms say ATS should have a full-fledged IG," said a senior police officer. Posts of DIG and SP are also lying vacant.
Bihar chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and DGP P.K. Thakur took stock of security arrangements at a meeting at the secretariat on Friday with principal secretary (home) Amir Subhani.
On July 9, Patna police seized explosives, including 12 cane bombs, from a private lodge in Khemnichak. The explosives were allegedly stored by People's Liberation Front of India cadres.
