Indian authorities have launched an investigation of a reported threat by Islamic State to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Monohar Parrikar.
Media reports say the threat was communicated on a postcard received at the country’s State Secretariat last week. Police in Goa said it had been posted locally.
“Since you are not allowing to eat beef, you will be taken care of,” read the postcard signed “IS.” It was referring to the ban on cow slaughtering in the country.
IS has shown signs of expanding in South Asia. Although Union Minister Rajnath Singh said recently that India was under no threat from IS, the country’s National Intelligence Agency chief has warned that IS could be a major threat.
News reports Tuesday said that this year’s Republic Day Parade faced a “real threat” from IS. French President Francois Hollande is expected to visit India to attend the Republic Day celebration as the chief guest January 26.
Top officials of the Indian central intelligence and investigative agencies and police of 13 states met to discuss steps to try to counter the growing influence of IS among youngsters through social media and other sources.
Last year, several Muslims were killed and injured by Hindu extremist mobs for allegedly eating meat from a cow, an animal considered sacred by majority of the followers of the majority Hindu faith.
