A report by the central intelligence agencies, suggest that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists have been making attempts to establish a base in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, and is planning to carry out a major terror attack there, Zee News reports on August 28. The report by the intelligence agencies mention that a terrorist named Umar Madni, along with another Nepal-based terrorist, stayed in Varanasi for four days in the month of May. They brainstormed over how the LeT network could be strengthened in the area. The terrorists also discussed the modus operandi for carrying out a major terror attack in the holy town. They camped in Varanasi for the purpose from May 7 to May 11 at a rest house. During the course of his stay, Umar Madni met several people in this regard. Umar Madni functions as a recruiter of the LeT and over the past few months, he has incessantly been trying to radicalise several youths to join the outfit.
Varanasi is the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.