The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the primary investigative arm of the United States, has warned security agencies in India about a specific threat to the life of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. In fact, this and other threat perceptions concerning top political leaders of the country have been listed in the security arrangements booklet released by the Delhi Police before Independence Day.

"The FBI has received information from an individual in Merrick, New York, who operates a website supporting Sonia Gandhi. The website, soniagandhi.org, offers visitors an opportunity to leave comments in a website guest book. Two visitors to the website left messages threatening to kill Sonia Gandhi," the booklet elaborates on the FBI's threat input regarding the Congress chief.

On the threat perception for the Prime Minister, the report reads, "It is learnt that the divisional commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba has instructed the Doda district commander to target the helicopter of the Prime Minister or Sonia Gandhi whenever they visit the area... LeT terrorists are also learnt to have discussed a plan to target the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi during their visit to Badherwah."

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is also mentioned in the report. "According to another input, jehadi elements having the backing of Pakistan-based ISI are planning to target Pranab Mukherjee. They are believed to have surveyed his residence and places frequented by him in Delhi and Kolkata."

Intelligence inputs suggest the militants would also be targeting BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. "According to an input, some Valley based LeT cadres were found discussing a plan to harm former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi. As per another input, a Handwara-based LeT operative has proceeded to Delhi and is likely to join another operative already positioned in Delhi."

On Advani, the report states: "As per an input, at a gathering of Sikh radicals at a gurdwara in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 13, 2008, Advani was severely criticised and warned to apologise for the alleged anti-Sikh remarks in his newly published memoirs or face the consequences," the report states.

However, the Delhi Police officers were not willing to comment on how they were tackling the threat. Joint Commissioner (Northern Range) P R Meena said: "We are not supposed to discuss these matters and Joint CP, Security, must be contacted." Joint Commissioner (Security) Deep Chand also refused to comment and asked The Indian Express to contact officers of the Central district. Commissioner of Police Y S Dadwal was unavailable for comments.