The Hindu : National : Goa alert after militant reveals attack plans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 08, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Goa alert after militant reveals attack plans

Panaji: Goa may have escaped a major terror attack with a suspected militant revealing plans to strike at the tourist State, targeting the crowded Calangute-Baga beach and a discotheque in the north.

The plan, the police said, could not be executed because the militant said he failed to get 50 kg of RDX from Pakistan. The attack was timed for the Christmas-New Year festivities a few weeks back.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said an alert has been sounded in the coastal State and the police have intensified checks to look for possible terror links in the holiday hot spot.

The plan came to light after the arrest of a suspected militant in Karnataka who had confessed about his plans to strike in Karnataka and Goa.

“We have sounded an alert all over the State and security has been strengthened,” the Chief Minister told PTI.

Mr. Kamat held a meeting with the top police brass along with Home Minister Ravi Naik, adding that “at no cost the security of the people would be compromised.”

Goa is usually placed on alert during New Year celebrations. Home Minister Ravi Naik said that some militants had visited Goa thrice to survey the coastal areas and crowded places.

Police sources confirmed the militants had the famous North Goa’s Calangute-Baga beach belt on their radar. A famous discotheque was also on the hit-list of the militants. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section