Some of New Zealand's top athletes were en-route to India last night as al Qaeda issued new terror threats warning the international community to stay away.
The warning, which was sent to the Asia Times newspaper, set sports teams and event organisers scrambling to decide on a response. The New Zealand Cricket Players Association questioned whether planned tournaments should now proceed.
While New Zealand's shooting and hockey teams are en-route to India, up to 200 Kiwi athletes are also due to travel there for October's Commonwealth Games. Thee Asia Times reported receiving the message on Monday from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al Qaeda.
"We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India – if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences," the message read.
The warning, which included a vow to continue attacks, came two days after a bombing which killed 10 people in a German bakery in western India.
The bombing was the first major strike on Indian soil since 166 people were killed during an assault in Mumbai in November 2008.
Neww Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said major sporting events in India must be under threat given the latest warning.
"This was already a very serious issue but in the light of recent developments I think it must cast doubt on whether the events will even go ahead."
The association had employed an Australian security expert to advise New Zealand players in the Indian Premier League tournament, which starts in mid-March.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the Government was monitoring the situation and was in talks with sports teams due to travel to India.
Anyonee planning to travel to India was advised last night by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to register their travel plans on the Safe Travel website.
A spokesman said caution was advised when travelling to India, particularly as recent terrorist attacks had targeted large cities.
The New Zealand Shooting Federation had five athletes and a manager on their way to Delhi for the Commonwealth Shooting Championships last night. Spokesman Gavin Paton was waiting to hear from them.
A group of 25 New Zealand hockey team members were in Perth en-route to Delhi for the Hockey World Cup.
Hockey New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole said the team was due to fly on Monday. No decision had been made as to whether the trip would now go ahead.
Ad Feedback The New Zealand team was liaising with Australian, English and Canadian team security advisers. Ms Poole said they would make a joint decision after discussing the situation with their governments and event organisers.
As there were known terrorist groups operating in India, Hockey NZ had been monitoring the security risk in the months leading up to the tournament.
The Black Caps' IPL players, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, were unaware of the threats as they left the field after day two of the test in Hamilton last night.
New Zealand Cricket would monitor international developments closely and seek advice from the International Cricket Council, a spokesman said.
New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) president Mike Stanley said the latest threat would require consultation with relevant government departments and Games bosses.
"The word al Qaeda has got quite a bit of cut to it," Mr Stanley said when made aware of the threat last night.
He promised security issues would be paramount as the Commonwealth Games approached.
"The information we have is that the security preparations are going well and in that area the Games will be very well provided for."
Source:stuff.co.nz/
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