Gujarat state police on alert after Bangalore IED blast

Vadodara, Dec 29: Gujarat police has been put on alert in the wake of a blast outside a restaurant in Bengaluru, a senior police official said here today.

Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) P C Thakur has sought the Centre's help to despatch a team of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos for enhanced security of VIPs, following the blast in Bengaluru yesterday which left a woman dead.

During his interaction with reporters here today, the DGP claimed the state police is well prepared to tackle any situation.

"In the wake of yesterday's blast in Banglore, I have asked the police deartment to be alert. We are fully prepared to tackle any situation," Thakur, who was in the city for the inauguration of police athletic meet, told reporters.

To cross check police preparedness ahead of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Vibrant Gujarat Summit to be held in Gandhinagar during January 2015 next year, around 20 mock drills have been organised in various places of the state, Thakur said.

"Apart from regular night combing operations, we have been carrying out mock drills at vital installations in the state, such as Somnath temple. During PBD and Vibrant Summit, a large number of national and international delegates will visit the state. We are leaving no stone unturned for their security," Thakur told PTI.

"In addition, we have written to the Centre to send a team of NSG commandos here before these events begin, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many international dignitaries are expected to arrive here," Thakur said.

Besides night patrolling and round-the-clock vigil at various public places like airports and railway stations, Thakur said officials of coastal areas of the state have been asked to keep a close watch on every movement.

"As we share our maritime boundary with Pakistan, security has been also beefed up in coastal areas of the state. Further, we have requested DGPs of many other states, including the DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, to provide inputs to the Gujarat police," Thakur said.

PTI