Terror gets a new face

National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister MK Narayanan has drawn the attention of state governments towards the meticulous study of their targets’ habits being undertaken now by jihadi groups.

The manner in which the assassins managed to eliminate former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto — shooting her in the head from close range — shows their level of meticulous planning and calibration of efforts, Narayanan said in a communication to all chief ministers in the aftermath of Bhutto’s killing.

Narayanan said it was quite apparent that the assassins had made a close study of Benazir’s habits. “They knew that she was fond of crowds and would stand up in the vehicle, thus exposing her head. Her assassination is a classic example of their technique and planning,” the communique said.

Narayanan said Benazir’s assassination was a cause of concern for India also. Advising the state governments to adhere to security protocols and avoid unnecessary risks while handling the security of chief ministers and other VIPs, the National Security Advisor said that security covers of CMs and dignitaries need to be tightened and a review of vital and sensitive installations needs to be done by the security agencies.

He said that the methodology being adopted by jihadis and their possible targets were also discussed at length at the recent chief ministers’ conference on internal security.