Al Qaeda: Don't send your athletes to India

Al Qaeda has warned the world not to send its sports people to competitions in India, including the Commonwealth Games.

The warning was published by Asia Times Online, which said it had received a message from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al Qaeda.

It warned the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket competition involving international players and the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi this year.

New Zealand's Black Sticks are heading for India next week to take part in the Hockey World Cup, while a number of New Zealand cricketers play in the IPL.

The message came shortly after the deadly weekend bombing of the German Bakery in the western Indian city of Pune. The message did not specifically claim responsibility for the bombing, but implied the brigade's involvement.

The Pune bombing killed 10 people, including two foreigners, and injured 57.

Part of the text of the emailed message reads, in rough translation: "We warned the international community to play their role in getting the Kashmiris their right of self-determination and preventing India from committing brutalities in Kashmir, especially in Badipuar, raping the women and behaving inhumanly with Muslim prisoners.

"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.

"We, the mujahideen of 313 Brigade, vow to continue attacks all across India until the Indian Army leaves Kashmir and gives the Kashmiris their right of self-determination."

The Indian government said on Monday that there would be no knee-jerk reaction to the Pune bombing.

The Times of India reported that last month the United States had warned India that al Qaeda-influenced elements were likely to carry out an attack in Pune and Mumbai.

- NZPA