Plan to kill top politicians:

India intercepts terrorists conversation

INDIA: Indian authorities have launched a massive search operation against terrorists after intelligence department intercepted conversation by terrorists that they might strike top Indian politicians ahead of the general elections next month, said Home Ministry sources Wednesday.

India's Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing intelligence organization intercepted conversations of Pakistan- based Lakshar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants saying Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and opposition BJP prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani, Uttar Pradesh state governor Kumari Mayawati and Gujarat state governor Narendra Modi might be target for strikes.

All these politicians, considered to be the most popular and charismatic ones in India, have been urged to increase security and caution, according to the sources.

A senior Home Ministry official said Indian authorities now have "specific intelligence inputs that terrorists may launch an attack on these politicians among others ahead of the general elections".

"The purpose of the attack is to disrupt the Indian elections. Following the threat, India Home Ministry has asked all security agencies to beef up security of these politicians," he added. "We will take all measures to protect our top politicians. We will not allow terrorists to destabilize our country."

Terrorists from neighboring Pakistan struck India' financial capital Mumbai in November, killing more than 170 and wounding over 300.

New Delhi, Xinhua