US warns Indian cities may be targetted for attack

INDIA: Two Indian cities may be targetted for attack by foreign militants ahead of next week's Independence Day celebrations, the US embassy in New Delhi warned Friday.

There may be attacks in "New Delhi and Mumbai in the days leading to the Independence Day," embassy spokesman David Kennedy told CNN-IBN news channel..Serial train bombings in Mumbai on July 11 blamed by the government on Islamic militant groups killed 183 people and injured almost 900.

Meanwhile Pakistan said Friday it had stepped up airport security after Britain foiled alleged plans to blow up US-bound flights, with a number of suspects arrested in Pakistan.

"All the airports have been put on high alert," a senior interior ministry official told AFP, adding that security levels had been raised on Thursday immediately after the plot was revealed.

Extra armed police stood guard at major airports in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore while passengers were subject to hand baggage restrictions and extra screening, the official said.

Vehicles entering airport car parks were being thoroughly checked. Pakistan, a key US ally, is already on alert for its Independence Day celebrations early next week.

Pakistani authorities said late Thursday they had made several arrests, including at least three people linked to Al-Qaeda, which helped Britain uncover the airline bomb plot.

Pakistan has previously detained or killed dozens of senior Al-Qaeda militants, including the capture three years ago of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

New Delhi, Karachi, Friday, AFP