Oz intelligence agencies working with India on sport terror threat: Rudd
By ANIThursday, February 18, 2010
MELBOURNE - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said his country’s intelligence agencies are closely working with their Indian counterparts to ensure foolproof security for the forthcoming international sporting events in India.
Rudd said the decision to cooperate follows threats by Al-Qaida-linked militants against sporting teams planning to attend the the Hockey World Cup, Indian Premier League’s third season and the Commonwealth Games.
“Indian authorities have pledged to implement strong security procedures for all upcoming sporting events in India. We, however, will be following this very, very closely,” The Australian quoted Rudd, as saying.
“We all know what has happened in India in recent times and the acts of terrorism which have occurred there. We are therefore in the closest possible liaison with the Indian authorities now,” he added.
He further said the warning given by the 313 Brigade is being taken seriously.
The Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade Department, however, has not yet seen the need to upgrade its travel advisory for India, Rudd added.
The terror warning follows Saturday’s bomb blast at a German Bakery in Pune, which killed 11 people including two foreigner foreigners.
“We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, the Indian Premier League and Commonwealth Games,” a wanted terrorist, Ilyas Kashmiri, said.
“Nor should their people visit India. If they do, they will be responsible for the consequences,” he added. (ANI)
