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Our people are bleeding and you will too: IM

Last updated on: September 19, 2010 18:53 IST

The Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the Jama Masjid shootout incident on Sunday, and issued a threat to the government not to hold the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The mail, which was sent to a new channel by the IM, claims responsibility for the attack and says that this is in memory of the persons who lost their lives in the infamous Batla House encounter.

The mail sent from the id al.arbi999123 @ gmail.com says don't show courage in organising the CWG.

'We know the preparations are on in full swing. Be prepared, we are preparing a shocking event and those participating in the games will hold themselves responsible for the consequences.'

The mail also goes on term Atif Amin and Mohammed Sajid as martyrs.

'The death of these two boys in the Batla house encounter will be avenged.'

The mail also refers to the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad, which has been carrying out arrests of it cadres.

'Innocent Muslim youth are being arrested and this is not right.'

It also speaks about the use of excessive force in Kashmir and states that 'our people are bleeding and you will too'.

The mail calls on all Muslims to revolt and protest the happenings in Kashmir.

Indian intelligence agencies say that it appears that a local module of the IM could have sent out this mail.

At first it appeared as though a relatively new group had carried out this attack.

Eyewitness accounts speak of automatic weapons being used and this indicates that the men who opened fire were trained thoroughly.

An IM angle cannot not be ruled considering the area in which it took place, the IB says.

They have at least four of their modules in the area and are quite capable of carrying out an attack of this nature. However, this attack appears more of a revenge tactic for the Batla House encounter and also a fear creating mechanism ahead of the games.

The IM has been lying low after a spate of arrests and were making a desperate attempt to bounce back and hence were desperate to carry out an attack.

Looking at the attack on Sunday, it is clear that they wanted to target foreign nationals since this would create much more impact.

During the previous security meetings in the run up to the CWG, IB reports had specifically spoken of similar kinds of attacks. It was said that dedicated enclosed routes have to be provided for the transportation of the players since terror groups will be looking to create a hostage crisis and also opening fire on the buses that they would be travelling in.

The Delhi Police are, however, mum on any terror angle and say that they are focusing on nabbing the two men who opened fire.

The police say that the Taiwan nationals were working for a television channel and were here to shoot a feature.

Vicky Nanjappa