More security for Israeli establishments

The Union Home Ministry on Monday asked states to provide extra security at the Israeli embassy, consulates and other Jewish establishments, including in Bengaluru, following intelligence inputs that terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) are planning to target them.

In an advisory, the ministry shared inputs collected by Central security agencies and asked the states to step up vigil. It said cadre belonging to LeT might target them.

Official sources said the states have been specifically asked to increase vigil around the Israeli Embassy in Delhi and the Consulates General in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Synagogues and Chabad houses are also possible targets. Advisories have been issued to Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Goa. Pakistan-born American terrorist David Headley had reportedly handed over his reconnaissance tapes to the LeT before his arrest by the FBI in the US in 2009.

Security officials feel the tapes could be used by the group. Officials said Pushkar in Rajasthan, Kasoli and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Anjuna in Goa and Koregaon Park in Pune are some of the places where security is being beefed up.

In 2012, an Israeli diplomatic staff was targeted by Iranian nationals in Delhi. Officials claimed security agencies foiled an attempt by the LeT to target the Consulate General of Israel in Bengaluru last year.