The warning was published by Asia Times Online yesterday, which said it had received a message from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al Qaeda, the organisation blamed for the September 2001 attacks on New York City.
It warned the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket competition involving international players and the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi in October.
Last night the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) said from Vancouver it was aware of the reports of the threat.
An NZOC spokeswoman at the Winter Olympics said it was taking the matter seriously and team personnel had been in contact with the Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG) group, an inter-departmental New Zealand counter-terrorism operation.
"We are seeking government advice on the nature and validity of the threat and will take action as appropriate," the spokeswoman said.
NZOC would be in a better position to provide information today once it had had a response from CTAG, she said.
It would also contact the Commonwealth Games Federation about the matter.
New Zealand's Black Sticks are heading for India next week to take part in the Hockey World Cup, while a number of New Zealand cricketers play in the IPL.
The message came shortly after the deadly weekend bombing of the German Bakery in the western Indian city of Pune. The message did not specifically claim responsibility for the bombing, but implied the brigade's involvement.
The Pune bombing killed 10 people, including two foreigners, and injured 57.
Part of the text of the emailed message reads, in rough translation: "We warned the international community to play their role in getting the Kashmiris their right of self-determination and preventing India from committing brutalities in Kashmir, especially in Badipuar, raping the women and behaving inhumanly with Muslim prisoners.
"We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India -- if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences.
"We, the mujahideen of 313 Brigade, vow to continue attacks all across India until the Indian Army leaves Kashmir and gives the Kashmiris their right of self-determination."
The Indian government said on Monday that there would be no knee-jerk reaction to the Pune bombing.
The Times of India reported that last month the United States had warned India that al Qaeda-influenced elements were likely to carry out an attack in Pune and Mumbai.
