Chidambaram Says India Not Deterred by al-Qaida Warning
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has said that warning issued by al-Qaida to international sportsmen against visiting the country for forthcoming events has not deterred India, reported NDTV.
Brushing aside the warning, Chidambaram was quoted as saying: “We are not deterred by Illyas Kashmiri’s warnings…Illyas Kashmiri cannot dictate our course of action.”
Illyas, top militant of 313 Brigade, an operational arm of al-Qaida, had reportedly warned the international community against sending sportspersons to India to take part in forthcoming sport events like Indian Premier League (IPL), Hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
According to an Asia Times Online report, the militant had vowed to continue strikes across India and threatened international sportsperson to face the consequences if the chose to visit the country.
“We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games… Nor should their people visit India – if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences,” said Kashmiri’s message, delivered to the Asia Times Online soon after the Pune bomb blasts.
