Asia-Pacific

India's Mumbai put on alert; terror plot suspected

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-12-24 19:55

Police stops foreign tourists to check their belongings at a security checkpoint outside the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai December 24, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

MUMBAI, India -- Police launched a manhunt in India's financial and entertainment capital Friday for four alleged Pakistani militants authorities believe entered Mumbai to carry out a terrorist attack, a top police official said.

Police have received credible information that at least four men belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group have entered the city and were planning to strike during the holiday season, said Himanshu Roy, joint police commissioner of Mumbai Police.

Police have set up checkpoints along major roads in the city, put additional men on patrol duty at public places and released computer photographs of the four suspects.

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"The four men are planning violent attacks that are going to cause destruction," Roy said.

Indian authorities blame the Lashkar-e-Taiba for a deadly three-day terror attack in Mumbai in November 2008 in which 166 people were killed.

"The four have recently arrived in Mumbai. We believe the threat is serious," Roy said.

Roads were also closed Friday near the Taj Mahal hotel and Mumbai's iconic landmark Gateway of India. However, traffic was normal and people went about their normal activities in the rest of the city. Mumbai is also home to Bollywood, India's prolific film industry.