India, Al Qaida, and the Taj Mahal, Maybe Not
Indian authorities are preparing just in case. They have received a letter from a supposed Al Qaida supporter stating that the Taj Mahal is a bombing target. Police are securing the area as I am writing this.
It is not usual for Al Qaida to tip its hand before an operation. Sometimes Al Qaida will issue veiled information or code words, but usually in video format. Sending a letter in warning prior to an event is not the usual modus operandi. In fact, Al Qaida probably would not warn anyone in the government as their focus is mass death and mayhem. So this is probably the work of a possible sleeper cell, Tamil Tiger operation, but probably not Al Qaida in action. However, it could be the tip of a concerned citizen.
Does that mean that authorities in India should do nothing? No, every threat must be evaluated and every threat must be rated based on the facts. There may be some hidden truths and concerns that we do not see in the Press Release that the police have access to. Civilians must be protected, so actions must be taken even if the threat may not be from Al Qaida, but it may be real from another terrorist group like the Tamil Tigers.
It is not usual for Al Qaida to tip its hand before an operation. Sometimes Al Qaida will issue veiled information or code words, but usually in video format. Sending a letter in warning prior to an event is not the usual modus operandi. In fact, Al Qaida probably would not warn anyone in the government as their focus is mass death and mayhem. So this is probably the work of a possible sleeper cell, Tamil Tiger operation, but probably not Al Qaida in action. However, it could be the tip of a concerned citizen.
Does that mean that authorities in India should do nothing? No, every threat must be evaluated and every threat must be rated based on the facts. There may be some hidden truths and concerns that we do not see in the Press Release that the police have access to. Civilians must be protected, so actions must be taken even if the threat may not be from Al Qaida, but it may be real from another terrorist group like the Tamil Tigers.
