India tightens security after militants threaten attacks over anti-Muslim remarks

India tightened public security on Wednesday after the circulation of a letter warning of militant attacks to avenge derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny, by an official of the ruling Hindu nationalist party.

Several Indian media groups shared the June 6 letter attributed to (Al-Qa.eda) branch in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS) in which threats were made to carry out suicide bombings in Indian states to defend, it said, the honour of the Prophet.

A federal home ministry official said intelligence agencies were checking the authenticity of the threats issued by AQIS.

“We have also ordered state police to ensure public gatherings or protests are not allowed as they could be targeted by the militant group,” a senior home ministry official in New Delhi said.

The security threat surfaced days after a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made comments about the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny, during a TV debate.

BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma’s remarks sparked uproar among Muslims in India and triggered diplomatic protests from Islamic countries demanding an apology from the Indian government.

India’s foreign ministry said on Monday the offensive tweets and comments did not in any way reflect the government’s views.