2 weeks ago
ISI shifts focus to Indian Railways to spread panic
Some people who work for a spy agency in Pakistan, called the ISI, are trying to hurt India's trains.
Trains are very important because they are the lifeline of India and carry many people every day.
Indian security officers have noticed these people watching railway stations very closely.
The spies have been taking pictures of stations and checking how safe they are.
Sometimes they are not planning a real attack — they just want to make scary fake phone calls.
If people at a busy station think there is danger, they might push and run, and people could get hurt.
The spies have also been paying regular people small amounts of money to help them.
India's police and security agencies are now very alert and are protecting railway stations in Delhi and other cities.
Security is especially tight because Independence Day is coming soon.
They want to make sure everyone stays safe.
An intelligence report says ISI-backed elements have made Indian Railways their primary target in recent months ahead of Independence Day.
Security agencies say the ISI is now seeking more information on the railway network than on military installations.
The ISI is recruiting individuals to make hoax calls at crowded stations, which officials warn could trigger stampedes and loss of life.
The ISI has briefed Babbar Khalsa International to target railway stations in Punjab and Haryana, while other outfits focus on Delhi, Mumbai and major cities.
Railway surveillance has increased ten-fold over the past year, with recruits paid Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 to scout stations and install solar-powered CCTV cameras.
- Who
- Inter Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed elements and cadres of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)
- What
- A concerted effort to gather intelligence on and carry out terror attacks, hoax calls and panic-spreading operations against Indian Railways
- Where
- India — railway stations in Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities, with BKI reportedly briefed to strike stations in Punjab and Haryana
- When
- Over the past year, with heightened threat levels ahead of India's Independence Day
- Why
- Officials say the railways are the lifeline of India, and disrupting the sector would spread widespread panic and fear among the people
Key facts
- Threat actor
- ISI-backed elements and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) cadres
- Target
- Indian Railways, with focus on Delhi, Mumbai, major cities (BKI: Punjab and Haryana)
- Surveillance increase
- Ten-fold increase in surveillance of the railway sector over the past year
- Recruit payments
- Roughly Rs 3,000 per assignment; Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per solar-powered CCTV camera installed
- Tactics
- Photographing stations, assessing security, installing solar-powered CCTV cameras for live feeds, and making hoax calls
- Official response
- Intelligence Bureau issued high alert for railway infrastructure in Delhi and surrounding areas
- Timing
- Threat assessments note terror groups could strike during Independence Day when security focuses on guarding events in Delhi
Quotes
An official
Indian security official
“If a hoax call or false information is circulated at a crowded railway station, it could trigger panic and eventually lead to a major stampede, resulting in loss of several lives.”
thehansindia.com
“Even a hoax alarm when it comes to the Indian railways is sufficient to create panic in the minds of the people.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Officials Warn Kashmir Threats May Mask Rebuilt Terror Networks
ISI pushing proxies to launch psyops in J&K, Punjab
Pakistan denies Bhatti network ISI link after India arrests 200
ISI accused of fuelling radicalisation in Nepal; India on high alert
Fresh Threat Letters Put Alleged ISI Fronts Under Scrutiny
