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Some of New Zealand's top athletes were en-route to India last night as al Qaeda issued new terror threats warning the international community to stay away.

The warning, which was sent to the Asia Times newspaper, set sports teams and event organisers scrambling to decide on a response. The New Zealand Cricket Players Association questioned whether planned tournaments should now proceed.

While New Zealand's shooting and hockey teams are en-route to India, up to 200 Kiwi athletes are also due to travel there for October's Commonwealth Games.

The Asia Times reported receiving the message on Monday from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al Qaeda.

"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," the message read.

The warning, which included a vow to continue attacks, came two days after a bombing which killed 10 people in a German bakery in western India.

The bombing was the first major strike on Indian soil since 166 people were killed during an assault in Mumbai in November 2008.

Hockey New Zealand says it still plans to send the Black Sticks to India.

Hockey NZ chief executive Hillary Poole told Radio New Zealand the organisation had been monitoring the security situation very closely and had been working closely with their security advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We're also seeking detailed advice from the FIH (International Hockey Federation), who are responsible for hosting the Hockey World Cup in Delhi."

Ms Poole said at this stage Hockey New Zealand was comfortable about sending the team over, but were monitoring the situation closely.

"The security and safety of our team is paramount and we are continuing to seek advice from our security advisors."

New Zealand men's hockey coach Shane McLeod was unaware of the al Qaeda warning when contacted last night.

He said the team were comfortable with security arrangements presently in place but was unsure how the landscape would now change.

"Up until this point in time we've felt pretty comfortable about where we're at and how well we'd be looked after," McLeod said.

"We had (been fully briefed) prior to this obviously. We've got a security guy going with us and a lot of time has been spent on that security issue."

The Black Sticks were booked at a hotel not far from the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, with the bus journey estimated at 10 minutes.

"It's pretty much from the turf to the hotel is where we expect to spend most of our time. We've been briefed that we won't be touring around," McLeod said.

The New Zealand team are scheduled to leave for New Delhi from Perth on Monday after completing a series of buildup matches against Australia.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said major sporting events in India must be under threat given the latest warning.

"This was already a very serious issue but in the light of recent developments I think it must cast doubt on whether the events will even go ahead."

The association had employed an Australian security expert to advise New Zealand players in the Indian Premier League tournament, which starts in mid-March.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the Government was monitoring the situation and was in talks with sports teams due to travel to India.

Anyone planning to travel to India was advised last night by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to register their travel plans on the Safe Travel website.

A spokesman said caution was advised when travelling to India, particularly as recent terrorist attacks had targeted large cities.

The New Zealand Shooting Federation had five athletes and a manager on their way to Delhi for the Commonwealth Shooting Championships last night. Spokesman Gavin Paton was waiting to hear from them.

The Black Caps' IPL players, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, were unaware of the threats as they left the field after day two of the test in Hamilton last night.

New Zealand Cricket would monitor international developments closely and seek advice from the International Cricket Council, a spokesman said.

New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) president Mike Stanley said the latest threat would require consultation with relevant government departments and Games bosses.

"The word al Qaeda has got quite a bit of cut to it," Mr Stanley said when made aware of the threat last night.

He promised security issues would be paramount as the Commonwealth Games approached.

"The information we have is that the security preparations are going well and in that area the Games will be very well provided for."

- with GEOFF LONGLEY, DUNCAN JOHNSTONE and NZPA

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