Delhi on high terror alert as games open

The Commonwealth Games open on Saturday with New Delhi on high alert as western governments warn India of a “particular risk” that terrorists might launch an attack on the event.

As western intelligence agencies keep a close eye on how the games progress, thousands of paramilitary police were being deployed across the capital city for the opening ceremony.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group, is thought to pose the greatest threat. It was responsible for the Mumbai attacks in 2008, which killed 131 people and left hundreds more injured at the city’s five-star hotels and its main railway station.

Western diplomats say they have no information on any specific threat to the games. But the UK government is one of a number that are warning travellers of a possible terrorist attack during the tournament.

Western intelligence agencies are also concerned that the last-minute rush to complete the sports venues might compromise security preparations.

“There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India, including a particular risk that terrorists will attempt attacks in the run-up to and during the games,” said a British government official. “Restaurants, hotels, railway stations, markets, and places of worship ... will continue to be potential targets.”

Roads leading to the various sports venues were lined with security forces on Friday. The entrances to the walled stadiums resembled military bases, with armed guards behind sandbagged positions.

Sentries watched from newly erected towers, while visitors to the athletes’ village, including ministers, were being vigorously frisked. The Indian air force has established an air security screen and New Delhi’s airspace will be closed during the game’s opening and closing ceremonies.

“We cannot be complacent about security,” said Tejinder Khanna, the city’s lieutenant-governor, after the Australian sports minister’s vehicle had been stopped from entering the athletes’ village for lack of accreditation. “There is no concession for anybody.”