New Delhi: Indian intelligence agencies have picked up scent of a massive, grim development. A terror coalition — call it a terror mahagathbandhan if you like — is forming among the Indian underworld, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Islamist terrorist groups and Khalistani separatists.

A meeting of representatives from these outfits to cement a working alliance was held in a prominent Gulf city recently. The big boys of terror and underworld were well-represented; the likes of 26/11 mastermind Hafeez Saeed’s Dawat-ud-Dawa and Dawood Ibrahim’s D Company. They are apparently planning "something big”, like a hit on a high-profile site or individual.

Also read: ED identifies 24 illegal properties owned by Saeed and Hurriyat Conference's financier

Murmurs reach the spies

A secret communication exclusively accessed by MyNation says Intelligence Bureau (IB) has warned about this new 'terror mahagathbandhan’. Based on the input received the intelligence agency, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) is now gathering information about this alliance of different outfits.

The new formation is keen to target political leaders and political gatherings. Sources said that the Indian external intelligence agency R&AW has details of rounds of meetings held in a city in the Middle East where the representatives of the terror outfits and the underworld met and discussed the plan and logistics.

Also read: Post-Pulwama, Kashmiri shawl, dry fruit sellers under Intelligence Bureau scanner for suspicious activities

The internal letter, which has been drafted after gathering information about terror meetings, says that "there is regrouping of Bangladesh/Pakistan-based terror outfits" and they are planning to target "protected political leaders and political gatherings with the help of local modules or underworld elements". The official communication also claims inputs have been received regarding the alliance to carry out terror attacks in India.

The only established link between terrorism and organised crime was established after terrorists with the help of the underworld led by Dawood planned and implemented 1993 Mumbai blasts. The 13 explosions shook parts of Mumbai in which 257 innocent people died and almost 700 were injured. This was the first time when agencies got to know about the nexus between underworld and terror outfits backed by Pakistan.

Defence against dark forces

Sensing the gravity of this regrouping, 'assets' abroad have been asked to gather details regarding this new pact, top sources in intelligence agencies have confirmed. Also, Indian agencies which deal with terrorism have been asked to provide details and local inputs to avert any incident.

Intelligence sources say terror outfits like JeM and LeT now hardly have sleeper cells and modules active in cities as security forces and agencies have broken the backbone of these organisations, especially in their breeding ground, Jammu and Kashmir. The terror outfits have decided to take local logistical and human support from the underworld, which can help carry out their dark design.