IB issues alert of fidayeen attack on Buddha Purnima in West Bengal, Bangladesh; security beefs up

The Central Intelligence Bureau (IB) has issued an alert, warning of a fidayeen attack by Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) or Islamic State (IS) on the occasion of Buddha Purnima at West Bengal or Bangladesh, according to the sources in Intelligence Bureau.

The alert adds that the fidayeen, who could be impersonating as a pregnant lady may enter Hindu or Buddhist temples to launch attacks in India's West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, an alert was received by the West Bengal government on Friday afternoon from the Central government asking to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

Reacting to the alert, the West Bengal Police has beefed up security across the Hindu and Buddhist temples in the state.

"We have received an alert. We have strengthened the security outside the temples in the city as well as other parts of the state. We are taking no chances," said a senior official of the West Bengal Police.

Two weeks back, pro-IS telegram channels in Bangla had released a message, threatening of an attack in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

"A similar alert was ignored by Sri Lanka authorities and we saw the number of casualties. We have immediately responded to this input and alerted all our branches to maintain the highest level of alertness and preparedness to prevent any such attacks," added the official of West Bengal Police.