Threat to New Delhi games confirmed

Sport Minister Murray McCully said the Government was treating security arrangements for the Games 'very seriously'. Photo / NZ Herald

New Zealand officials in India are anticipating a terrorist attack on a "soft target" ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

"The pre-Games environment could be overshadowed by some form of 'soft target' attack such as the recent attack on the German Bakery in Pune, which would be unsettling and capture media attention," one of a number of diplomatic cables, obtained by the Dominion Post under the Official Information Act, revealed.

Seventeen people, including four foreigners, were killed and 65 injured in the February attack on the bakery.

New Zealand is sending 195 athletes and 100 officials to the October games, which officials now say will be held in "a high-threat environment".

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Mike Stanley has told athletes to "pack their bags" for New Delhi but yesterday said they would pull out if security was not appropriate.

It was too early to say whether it was too dangerous to go to New Delhi, he said.

Sport Minister Murray McCully said the Government was treating security arrangements for the Games "very seriously".

A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key said it was up to the sporting bodies involved on whether athletes should travel to India.

- NZPA