Intelligence agencies have warned that terrorists may use pets like cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs as 'suicide bombers' for carrying out attacks on Republic Day.
According to a report in DNA, intelligence agencies have issued warnings in this regard to anti-terror units in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The report says that the inputs provided by the intelligence agencies highlight a change in terror techniques under which pets, covered in warm clothing during winter seasons, could easily carry explosive vests underneath to blow up the targets.
It also says that these animals can be used at places with high footfalls, vital installations, railway stations and airports across the cities to carry out terror attacks.
Quoting its sources, the DNA report says that the intelligence agencies have also directed the security agencies responsible for Republic Day security to intensely examine their dog squads for any kind of infiltration.
"The Islamic State (IS) was the first terror outfit which had used chickens as suicide bombers to target the government forces in Syria," DNA quoted a senior intelligence officer as saying.
He further said that once the animal carrying bomb vests wandered off into target areas, a remote control could be used to set off the explosive to cause maximum damage.
The intelligence agencies have also advised security personnel to monitor the pets carried by passengers at railways stations and to keep a tab on stray dogs with vests as part of precautionary measures.
