Terror sleeper cells may avenge Dadri lynching; Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple on hit list: Report

The terrorists of sleeper cells may carry out bomb attacks in various cities of India to avenge several incidents of violence in Manipur and the killing of a Muslim man by a mob in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri district after rumours suggested he had salughtered a calf and consumed its meat, according to report.

The Uttar Pradesh Intelligence Bureau and other intelligence agencies have reportedly intercepted a call between two men who have exchanged details of their plans to attack various communally sensitive areas, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya, reported The Times of India, which has a copy of the intercept.

The two men are reported to have been detained and the IB and military personnel are interrogating them. "During interrogation, the accused have disclosed their plans to attack UP Vidhan Sabha, Allahabad high court, Kanpur railway station and residential colonies for former military personnel in Allahabad," a TOI source said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Pravin Togadia, who was booked for hate speeches earlier this year, and Ashok Singhal are also believed to be on the hit list of the terror sleeper cells.

The intercepted conversation between the two men suggests that one of them was referring to a man in Allahabad who will assist the sleeper cells to carry out the attack. According to the intercept, "a few women cops honey-trapped by the outfits' men will also provide assistance".

The police fear the terror groups may target cities during the featival season. "Having failed to execute their deadly assault in Gurdaspur in July, the terror outfits may now take advantage of the recent Dadri lynching incident to create disturbance during festival time as well as the ongoing panchayat polls. We are on high alert," senior superintendent of police (Government Railway Police) Gopeshnath Khanna told TOI.

However, Agra inspector general of police DC Mishra did not confirm any such threats. He said, "A high alert has been issued across the state, but it is for the festival time."