Terrorists may hit soft targets, warns UK-based security firm

Control Risks, a firm that provides advice and services that enable companies manage strategic and operational risks, has advised its clients to stay away from tourist attractions, public places and government buildings, and not to travel by public transport during the event in Delhi, The Observer newspaper reported.

Chietigj Bajpaee, the company’s south Asian senior analyst, said that Control Risks had told clients to expect terrorist attacks on soft targets around India in the days running up to the Games and during the Games, from October 3 to 14.

“I think there is a relatively high likelihood of attacks taking place but these attacks may not target the Games venues themselves,” he said.

“The diversion of security resources to protecting the main stadiums left India without the capacity or capability protect soft targets, with local police not up to the job,” the firm has said.

It has also warned that team participants may be more vulnerable than tourists.

‘Avoid govt buildings’
“We have advised avoiding areas around government buildings or anything that could be considered a soft target, such as marketplaces,” Bajpaee said.

To add to visitors’ concerns, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has now expressed serious misgivings about the quality of the stadiums. The institution’s head in India Sachin Sandhir warned of serious shortcomings in the public and sporting infrastructure.

About 7,000 athletes from 71 countries are expected to travel to Delhi, but some have pulled out, citing security fears, concerns over the accommodation and the ongoing dengue fever problem as reasons.