Intel points to terror attacks around Christmas on Indian airports, security tightened

According to official sources here on Wednesday, security has been tightened in and around airports, including the Mumbai airport, railway stations, bus terminus and other crowded areas.

Strict vigil in shopping malls, market places and cinema halls is being maintained, the sources said.

Heightened security measures were initiated following an alert by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on late Monday that militants were planning to target the Mumbai airport, the day after Christmas.

After the deadly incidents in France, Afghanistan and Austria in recent weeks prompted raising of terror threat level to 'severe' in several countries, including the United Kingdom (UK).

Shootings at multiple locations in the capital city of Austria, Vienna, left three people dead and 15 "severely injured" on Monday night.

The shooting, which has been referred to as a terrorist attack by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, took place in downtown Vienna just hours before the reimposition of the nationwide lockdown, which has been called to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Vienna Police said three deceased include two men and one woman. Among the 15 injured, one was a Vienna police officer.

Latest reports said four people succumbed in the attack and at least 22 were injured.

The assault was carried out by at least one suspect, whom officials described as an Islamic State sympathiser, was shot and killed by officers, police said.

Austrian police have detained 14 people so far associated with the assailant who are being questioned.