Goa has beefed up security in view of fears of a terrorist attack during the New Year celebrations.
An Israeli news report quoting foreign ministry officials said that country's National Security Council and the Counter Terrorism Headquarters have already conveyed their concerns to the Israeli embassy in New Delhi and the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai.
Though Israel General Consulate in Delhi had informally contacted the Goa Police in this regard on Wednesday, the state police is still awaiting official intimation in this regard from the Union home ministry.
"We do not perceive any such threat, but we are prepared to face any exigency," assured Deputy Inspector General of Police Karnal Singh. "However, we have already contacted the central intelligence agencies, while our own intelligence network has also been activated."
Protective measures have been taken at the airport and a close watch kept on hotels, he added.
Around 25,000 Israelis visit India every year and Goa is one of the more favoured destinations.
A similar alarm was also raised two months ago, following a bomb blast in Bali that had killed 181 people.
Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has blamed vested interests in tourism industry for creating unnecessary scare in the minds of international tourists.
While reacting sharply to various news reports regarding possible terror attacks, Parrikar assured that the state has now taken "double precautions" to provide total security to the tourists.
"We are not taking anybody for granted. But I see no reason why Goa should be attacked", he said.
© 2025