Ilyas Kashmiri warns

With Pakistan-based HuJI chief and al-Qaida commander Ilyas Kashmiri reportedly warning foreign players against participating in the forthcoming hockey World Cup in India, the government reviewed its security preparedness and provided additional 1,200 paramilitary personnel — including 200 commandos — to Delhi Police to guard the venue and nearby buildings. Though home ministry officials dismissed such warnings, calling them mere ‘‘rhetoric’’, they said the Centre had provided additional forces to Delhi Police. They said 200 commandos, especially skilled in sharpshooting, will man high-rise buildings around the venue — National Stadium — near India Gate. Besides, as many as 10 companies of central paramilitary forces (nearly 1,000 personnel) will be deployed in the city during the February 28-March 13 tournament. The decision on extra deployment was taken after a meeting of Delhi Police commissioner Y S Dadwal with home secretary G K Pillai. ‘‘We have asked for additional forces and that has been given,’’ Dadwal said. In an email to a Hong Kong-based news website, Kashmiri warned of several attacks like the one in Pune in the near future. ‘‘We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India — if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences,’’ says the threat. ‘‘We, the mujahideen of 313 Brigade, vow to continue attacks across India until the Indian Army leaves Kashmir and gives the Kashmiris their right of self-determination. We assure the Muslims of the subcontinent we will never forget the massacre in Gujarat and the demolition of Babri Masjid,’’ it added. Kashmiri was thought to have died in a drone attack in September 2009 but later contacted journalists to prove he was alive. According to FBI, he met David Headley in Pakistan in January 2008. He was arrested in 2004 for an attempt on Musharraf’s life but Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin convinced Pakistan agencies he was not involved.