NZ renews terror warnings for India

With only 12 days until the Commonwealth Games open New Zealand has joined Australia, United States and Britain in renewing terror warnings for people travelling to India.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' safe travel website says risks of travelling in India range from "extreme" to "some". It says the threat from terrorists is significant and sporting events could be a target.

The renewed warning comes as the first athletes are due to head to India in two days and was updated yesterday afternoon after a shooting outside a Delhi mosque that left two Taiwanese injured two days ago.

Other western countries have also renewed warnings to travellers about the risk of terror attacks, with the Australian advisory website saying there was a high risk of terror attacks during the Games.

"Australians in New Delhi should be aware that the Commonwealth Games will be held in a security environment where there is a high risk of terrorism," reads the Australian Government's alert.

New Zealand's safe travel website's latest advisory also makes for concerning reading.

"There is a significant threat from terrorism in India and New Zealanders travelling in India should take account of the potential for terrorist attacks by militant groups," it said.

"We continue to receive reports of plans for terrorist attacks in India."

Athletes will compete and live inside a "security bubble", so Games venues will be more difficult to attack than Delhi sites outside that area, meaning tourists and Games spectators will face higher risks than athletes.

The advisory said attacks could be directed at national institutions within major cities, religious sites, festivals, tourist sites, hotels, markets, fairs, public transport and major sporting events.

The United States and Britain also renewed travel warnings following this week's shooting, in which a gunmen on a motorbike opened fire with an automatic pistol on a tourist bus outside New Delhi's main mosque on September 19, injuring the tourists, police said.

MFAT spokeswoman Nicky Grant said yesterday New Zealand High Commission officials were seeking more details from the Indian authorities investigating the shooting.

It was not yet clear whether it was a "criminal or terrorist attack", she said.

There has also been a recent threat, allegedly from an Islamic militant group, threatening to attack the Games.

Mr Key said while the Government was working to provide all the advice it could on risks in Delhi, the decision on whether athletes would go would be made by the New Zealand Olympic Committee, which prepares the Games team and is responsible for their safety.

The NZOC needed to make a decision on that by Friday, Mr Key said.

New Zealand team chef de mission Dave Currie was in Delhi doing final checks on security and other planning.

He was yet to commit to New Zealand attending the Games and was to complete his reconnaissance mission this week, but said yesterday security arrangements around the Games appeared to be tight.

Last Friday he would not commit to New Zealand attending, saying concerns uncovered would be raised with Games organisers, and how well they were fixed would be a factor.

"We're working on the premise the Games are going to go ahead, and we'll be part of it," he told Radio New Zealand.

Athletes' Federation boss Rob Nichol said the latest attack was concerning, but should not result in a sudden change in perspective on whether New Zealand athletes should attend.

The Commonwealth Games start on October 3, with 7000 foreign athletes and officials expected.

- NZPA