Police on its toes after hoax bomb calls on Red Fort, Akshardham

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) Security in the Capital was further tightened today after several hoax bomb calls from all over the city, including Red Fort and the famous Akshardham Temple, kept the police and security agencies on its toes.

However, all the calls were later declared 'hoax'.

Police today received an E-mail threatening to blow up the historic Lal Qila in Old Delhi after which extra forces were rushed there as a precautionary measure and screening of tourists enhanced.

Besides, patrolling in the city, checking at the borders and vigil at market places and crowded areas increased since early morning, sources said.

The mail which was reportedly sent to the area Deputy Commissioner of Police, along with 'Star TV' and 'Aaj Tak' channel, threatened to blow up the 17th century Red Fort built by Shah Jahan, according to police sources.

''Save the Red Fort if you can. Fireworks at 8.47 pm,'' said the E-mail without mentioning the day and date.

Earlier, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was deployed at the famous Akshardham Temple in East Delhi after a call about a bomb being placed there was received at 0032 hrs.

The police reached the temple at 0100 hrs and the search continued for about two hours during which nothing was found, according to temple sources.

The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and the sniffer dog team reached the temple and carried out the searches. However, the dogs could not be taken beyond the exhibition hall, said a senior police official.

Another call of a bomb having been placed at PVR Plaza in Connaught Place was received at 0030 hrs.

Two fire tenders along with the BDS and the dog team were pressed into service, but even after more than an hour of search, nothing was found, said the Fire Brigade.

Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee sources also confirmed of a bomb threat at Gurudwara Sheeshganj in Chandni Chowk this morning but nothing was found.

One more call this morning of a bomb been planted at the Anand Vihar Bus Terminus in East Delhi was also found to be a hoax.

However, police refused to confirm having received any such call.

UNI AN RA HS2054