Delhi Police said that deployment outside places of worship has been increased

NEW DELHI: Intelligence agencies have alerted police in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa about twin threats from Islamic State and al-Qaeda, sources said. The two inputs, which warn of avenging the New Zealand incident and possible strike on Jewish establishments, have come in a span of four days.

The inputs suggest that terrorists might try to use a vehicle or a knife in the attacks. The agencies have suggested an increase in vigil around the Israeli Embassy, Consulate General in Mumbai as well as synagogues and Chabad houses, sources said.

The first alert, dated March 20, talks of IS and connected cells planning to avenge the attack in Christchurch, New Zealand in which 50 people died. A 29-year-old Australian citizen, Brenton Tarrant, had entered two mosques with automatic weapons and opened indiscriminate fire.

The input reads: “As per the information received from multiple sources, an audio speech of IS spokesperson Abu Hassan al-Muhajir is being circulated on closed online groups and chat platforms wherein Muhajir is heard calling on his supporters to avenge the massacre at the mosques. This audio and other chatter indicates intent to avenge the incident. Appropriate action may be taken in this connection.”

Sources in Delhi Police said that deployment outside places of worship has been increased. “We are keeping a close watch on developments,” an officer said.

The second input, dated March 23, is about a possible strike by an al-Qaeda cell at Jewish residential establishments or synagogues. The chatter intercepted by agencies indicates execution of an attack using “non-conventional” weapons. “The attack may be in the form of a lone wolf using a knife or a car or truck,” it said. For Goa, the inputs specifically mention a few places.

Police have beefed up security at major installations, apart from those mentioned in the inputs. Security outside the embassy of Israel has also been reviewed, sources said. Patrolling has been enhanced and policemen at pickets have been asked to be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles.

In 2012, terror operatives had used a limpid car bomb to attack an Israeli embassy staffer. A motorcyclist had attached a stick bomb to the car of an Israeli diplomat’s wife while she was on her way to pick up her children from school.