Several Commonwealth countries including Australia, Canada and New Zealand were reviewing the security situation in India after two men on a motorcycle today shot at a tourist bus near the iconic Jama Masjid here, injuring two Taiwanese nationals.
Although no country has officially excused itself from participating in the Commonwealth Games — to be held between October 3 and 14 — there is renewed wariness about security for the Games. “We want to make sure that Australians travelling to the Games understand the security environment in which they are travelling and understand some of the risks,” Australian federal sports minister Mark Arbib was quoted as saying.
“There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India. Terrorists have targeted places in the past which westerners are known to visit, including public places such as restaurants, hotels, railway stations, markets, and places of worship. Two Taiwanese tourists were injured in a shooting incident near Jama Masjid in New Delhi on September 19,” an updated travel advisory by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office says, renewing warnings to Games participants to be careful in the face of a terror threat.
“While there is a continuing threat of terrorist attacks throughout India at all times, credible and specific reporting indicates that a terrorist attack could be carried out in areas of Delhi frequented by foreigners, such as markets,” says a travel warning posted on the Canadian foreign affairs ministry’s website. This is yet to be updated.
“This level of threat could increase as the Commonwealth Games approach,” the warning reads.
Participating countries are concerned especially because the shooting incident happened just ahead of the arrival of the Queen’s baton at Jama Masjid amid a big ceremony on October 2, a day before the Games kick off.
However, not only did intelligence agencies fail to provide inputs about the shooting incident, but also no one had been apprehended till late Sunday evening, raising questions about security preparedness.
Police did detain a young man on suspicion for the attack, saying a black Hero Honda Passion motorcycle used in the crime belonged to him. The man is said to live in Vasant Kunj in south Delhi.
The Jama Masjid area in the Old City is densely populated and extensively policed. The incident occurred close to a popular eatery where police presence is ubiquitous, even in normal times.
