Al-Qaeda threatens India of suicide attack; Central agencies begin serious investigation.

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According to top agency sources, central agencies are "seriously" investigating the threat letter sent by terror outfit Al-Qaeda regarding suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat to "fight for the honour of the Prophet."

Alerts have been issued across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat by law enforcement agencies to increase vigilance at specific locations such as airports, metro, railway stations, and market areas, according to a source familiar with the situation.

• "Security personnel have been instructed to report to the concerned department soon after noticing any suspicious activity," the agency said.

In a threat letter dated June 6, Al-Qaeda stated that it would carry out suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to "fight for the honour of the Prophet".

The letter comes in light of the controversy that has erupted after a few Bharatiya Janata Party leaders "allegedly" made controversial remarks on the Prophet Muhammad.

• "We shall kill those who affront our Prophet and we shall bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet... The saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat," the letter read.

Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders on Prophet Muhammad. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter.

India, meanwhile, has maintained that the views belong to a few fringe elements only and do not represent those of the Government of India. India also "categorically rejected" the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) statement slamming India as "unwarranted and narrow-minded".

Earlier, the BJP suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality.