Thursday, September 8 2005 13:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jaipur: Security has been beefed up in Rajasthan following a reported threat by a Jammu and Kashmir militant outfit threatening to launch terror attacks if Pak- nationals lodged in the state jails were not released immediately as the Indian and British prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Tony Blair hold talks in Udaipur today (Sept 8, 2005).

Additional DGP (Intelligence) Omendra Bharadwaj told sources although the state government has not received the threat reportedly written by a so-called militant outfit 'al Mansoria' the police across the state had been alerted since a local newspaper and a hotel received a letter written in English.

Though police doubted the veracity of the letter written in English it did not want to take any chances and has been put on put on alert to thwart any subversive activities in case of any eventuality in the wake of the change of the venue of Singh-Blair talks from Shimla to the lake city.

However, Bhardwaj said the central intelligence had no information about the existence of a militant outfit by that name.

The letter, the first of its kind received by a terrorist organization in the desert state, demanded that the government "release all the Pakistani citizens from various jails of Rajasthan immediately otherwise our army will start action".

It further warned that the terrorists would blow up five luxury hotels between September 7 and 14. The letter has been purportedly signed by one Anis-ur Rehman, claiming to be area commander of the militant outfit.

Bhardwaj said that although the veracity of the letter was doubtful and "we feel it may be a mischief yet we are not taking it lightly".

When contacted the state Home Minister Gulab Singh Kataria said he had no information about their threat as he was tied up in the ongoing farmers agitation. The Principal Home Secretary V S Singh also said that he no knowledge about the letter.