Indian police said Sunday they prevented a major terrorist strike in Mumbai by arresting two men who were preparing to attack several targets in the city, the country's financial and entertainment hub K P Raghuvanshi, chief of Mumbai's anti-terrorism squad, said the two Indian men _ both residents of the city _ had targeted a popular shopping mall, a market and a state-owned gas facility.
He said Abdul Latif Rashid and Riyaz Ali were arrested late Saturday in Mumbai's Matunga suburb. Police said the men had links with terror groups allegedly in Pakistan and were acting on directions from handlers there. ``They were getting instructions from allegedly Pakistan to execute their activities here,' Raghuvanshi said. It was not immediately clear whether the men were preparing to attack the offices, oil tankers or a housing estate belonging to the Oil and Natural Gas Commission, Raghuvanshi said. The suspects will remain in custody until Thursday, when they will appear before a judge and be assigned lawyers, Raghuvanshi said.
Mumbai has been on high alert since the Pune bombing. Following the latest arrests, police have further tightened security measures with additional police patrolling markets and cinemas.