The Indian Mujahideen has threatened to unleash violence during the Commonwealth Games in a statement issued last weekend soon after a terror attack at the Delhi Jama Masjid injured two foreigners.
While making no direct reference to the Jama Masjid shooting blamed on two men on a motorcycle who escaped, a statement by the outlawed group pledged to hit at the Commonwealth Games starting in Delhi Oct 3.
“We know that preparations for the Games are at its peak; beware, we too are preparing in full swing for a great surprise,” said the statement, emailed to BBC Hindi service.
“The participants will be solely responsible for the outcome (of our attacks) as our bands of mujahideen love death more than you love life,” it said.
Indian Mujahideen is believed to be a shadow outfit of the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and has also been linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
It came into the spotlight Feb 23, 2005 when it carried out a blast in Varanasi.
Meanwhile,  the shooting outside Jama Masjid will not impact the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Organising Committee secretary general Lalit Bhanot said.
Bhanot said that the home ministry and Delhi Police have made elaborate arrangements to provide a safe and secure environment for the athletes and officials scheduled to arrive soon in the host city.
The Commonwealth Games Association is satisfied with the plans and preparations made by police and the international security liaison group formed by the ministry, Bhanot said.
Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 countries and terrorities, including over 300 Canadians are expected to attend the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India’s biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.