Indian intelligence warns against fresh al-Qaeda attacks

Nahla Abdelmonem

The presence of al-Qaeda in many parts of Asia poses challenges to the Indian government.

This presence raises the prospect of attacks that can destabilize the Indian subcontinent economically and socially.

This compounds the border disputes India has with Pakistan and China.

Terrorism has an international dimension in India. It is not related to internal developments or the behavior of the security establishment only.

What is happening outside India sometimes decides the agenda of the extremists

Problems between India and neighboring countries also decide whether New Delhi will be able to effectively fight terrorism.

Intelligence and the war on al-Qaeda

Around 130 elements of al-Qaeda are operating between India and Bangladesh, according to the India Today site.

These elements are able to carry out violent attacks in the region, the site said. This puts the lives of a large number of people in danger.

It also noted that these al-Qaeda operatives prepare to cooperate with Haqani company which has links with al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The site quotes the Indian intelligence in saying that the 130 operatives had graduated from a Taliban school in Pakistan recently.

According to the site, these elements prepare for attacks against Indian interests in cooperation with Haqani.

This opens the door for more threats to the Indian subcontinent. This also comes at a time the Islamic State group tries to prove that it is more powerful than al-Qaeda in the subcontinent.

International in nature

Links between terrorism in India and some external factors creates a fertile soil in the country for terrorist groups to grow.

This is especially true in the presence of a discourse encouraging fighting in the region with the aim of defending Muslims and liberating them.

The same discourse calls for giving Pakistan authority over Muslim minorities in the region in its capacity as a predominantly Muslim nation.