Terrorist group Al Qaeda is believed to be training Indian militants in preparation for big terror plots in New Delhi, based on testimony of suspects and intercepted communication between the group itself and the Indian Mujahideen (IM).

The intelligence report has prompted Indian officials to be alarmed over the threat of a major attack in the area. Aside from the plan, the officers told Reuters that the decrypted communication talked about kidnapping foreigners to mimic the present chaotic and violent situation in Syria and Iraq, Hindustan Times relayed.

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It is still difficult to establish concrete evidence of a link between Islamist groups but the Indian security officials said the intel they have gathered support their growing suspicion that Al Qaeda has indeed hooked up with IM, a local group that specializes in using crude weapons for low-level attacks.

The Indian security agencies found out that some of IM's members are being groomed by Al Qaeda and other terror groups based in Afghanistan and Pakistan to launch major attacks in the country. The intel comes on the heels of Al Qaeda's announcement that it had established a new wing in South Asia.

Last Sunday, a deadly suicide bombing occurred near the Indian-Pakistani border and on Tuesday, the Indian navy was forced to withdraw from two eastern ports because of a terror alert. The two incidents are believed to be evidence of increasing militant activity in the region, security officials said.

"The thing we are looking for is how al Qaeda/ISIS tie up with local groups," National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Sharad Kumar said, "especially as the drawdown takes place in Afghanistan."

ISIS, a terror group otherwise known as Islamic State, has established caliphates in Iraq and Syria, but reportedly still has not achieved deep influence among South Asian militants. Al Qaeda, on the other hand, is already deeply rooted, and its leader Ayman al-Zawahri is reportedly hiding somewhere near the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

By the end of the year, international combat forces are expected to withdraw from the border area, and some IM members are already joining Al Qaeda in combat, the Indian government said. New Delhi is worried that the terror group would be able to recruit more soldiers to turn against their own country.

The U.S. assisted the Indian investigators in decrypting the Internet chats between Al Qaeda and IM. The intercepted communication uncovered some tension between Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and the IM.

An Indian security official said the chats reflect how little control ISI holds over these militant groups.

Meanwhile, Pakistani officials rejected their alleged links with Al Qaeda.

TagsAl-qaeda, Indian militants, Indian Mujahideen, terror attack, ISIS