We have "credible information" of terrorist attack in India:US

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) United States has "credible
information" about terrorists planning to carry out strike
in some Indian cities and target American nationals, and US
Embassy in New Delhi has issued a warning alerting its
citizens, a senior Obama administration official said on
Thursday.

"Yes, we have sufficient credible information," the
official said when asked about the reasons for issuing of
'Warden Message' by US Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The relevant information has been shared with Indian
Government and there is co-operation between the intelligence
agencies of the two countries to jointly thwart such a
terrorist threat, he added.
However, he did not specify which terrorist outfits
were planning such an attack in India particularly at places
where US citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or
visit.
"Markets, such as those located in Chandni Chowk,
Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Mehrauli, and
Sarojini Nagar, can be especially attractive targets for
terrorist groups," said the Warden message issued by the US
Embassy.
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J
Crowley, during his briefing, declined to provide any
additional information about the Warden Message, which comes
within days of State Department issuing a general travel which
said that the US continues to receive intelligence information
about terrorists planning attacks in India.
"It was just a caution to our citizens within the US
community that we have growing concerns about terrorism and
that it might affect, you know, both Indian citizens and
American citizens," Crowley said in response to a question.
"We are very mindful of the fact that in the Mumbai
attacks both Americans and Indians died, and citizens of other
countries as well. So it was just a prudent warning to our
citizens, as they continue their business in the country," he
observed.
Noting that India and US were sharing intelligence
with regard to counter-terror operations, Crowley said: "This
just underscores the fact that we have ongoing concerns about,
those who would try to disrupt favourable trends, regarding
security and cooperation in the region. We would continue to
do everything possible to prevent these attacks."
He, at the same time, indicated that there were
definitely some concerns, which he would not like to share at
this point of time.
"Whether we have specific threat information against
those markets or just we have indications that the threat
involves public spaces, I just can't comment," Crowley said.
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