LeT planning to attack politicians in J&K

Security in Jammu and Kashmir has been further beefed up following intelligence inputs suggesting that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba was planning to carry out terrorist strikes in the state including assassination of a political or a top separatist leader.

Sources in the security establishment said that some intelligence inputs were intercepted in which Lashkar commanders in the Valley were receiving instructions from across the border to carry out a terrorist strike in Jammu or Kashmir, which includes targeting any politician or separatist leader.

The sources said that security around vital installations had been tightened and a fresh review of the security cover to all the politicians and important separatist leaders had been conducted.

The sources said Lashkar might try and target a separatist leader and blame it on security forces as has been done in the past.

The killing of Mirwaiz Farooq, Abdul Gani Lone and the bid on life of Fazal-haq Qureshi earlier this year by terrorists were examples of their tactics.

Mirwaiz Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone were allegedly shot dead by terrorist of Hizbul Mujahdieen.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who enjoys Z category security of the state government, has been instructed about the threat perception while a round-the-clock guard was to be provided to other separatist leaders.