Delhi shooting raises fears over next month’s Commonwealth Games
The attack on tourists in Delhi ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Games has reinforced fears that the city is at “high risk” of an attack by local terrorists.
Two Taiwanese tourists were injured in a shooting incident near the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi on Sunday.
The busload of Taiwanese tourists were fired at by a person riding pillion on a motorcycle.
An Islamist group called the Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack.
The UK’s Foreign Office website said there is a high threat from terrorism throughout India.
“Terrorists have targeted places in the past which westerners are known to visit including public places such as restaurants, hotels, railway stations, markets, and places of worship,” it said.
India’s Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja strongly condemned the attack.
"This attack on tourists shows desperation of those elements who want to create panic in the society by attacking innocent people," she said. "Investigation agencies are at work to bring the culprits to book."
She appealed to tourists and the tourism industry not to panic by "such stray incidents" and claimed that "India is a safe destination and safety and security of tourists is utmost concern of the Government".
Rajeev Kohli, joint managing director of tour operator Creative Travel India, told TravelMole Australasia: “In my personal opinion, the level of the attack does not seem to be the work of any terrorist organisation for the target was too insignificant and the area affected very limited.”
In a statement, Cox and Kings India said all guests in Delhi were safe. “With enhanced security the situation in Old Delhi is normal,” the company added.
The Commonwealth Games will take place in New Delhi from 3-14 October.
by Ian Jarrett, TravelMole Australasia
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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