Security enhanced across India following US warning

New Delhi, Aug 11: Security was tightened at over 100 airports and several vital installations across the country following a US warning that foreign terrorists plan to carry out a series of bomb attacks in and around Delhi and Mumbai ahead of the Independence Day.

The warning, which came in the form of an adivsory by the US Embassy here to American citizens in the country, was however termed as ''innocuous'' by the Indian government.

Debunking reports of any 'specific threats' lurking in and around the capital, police also said no such threat perceptions were ''on the table''. Already an alert situation is in place and everyday briefings to the police are being done on the evolving situations, an officer said.

The US advisory gives a possible time frame of August 11-16 for the attacks, which the US says are likely to target major airports, key central government offices and major gathering places such as hotels and markets in India.

However, security has been stepped up in the capital and Mumbai in view of the Independence Day celebrations.

Passengers have been banned from taking liquids aboard the planes after London said it foiled a plot to blow up transatlantic flights.

Passengers on domestic routes are allowed to carry only one handbag including mobile phones and laptop computer. But no liquids or gels will be allowed. Baby foods have been excluded.

As quick-reaction police teams armed with light machine guns stood guard, plainclothes policemen mingled with air travellers to check for suspicious characters.

In Mumbai, security at all railway stations in the city has been enhanced in view of the warning. Besides stepping up patrol, a thorough frisking of passengers is being done in view of the recent serial blasts.

Mumbai Commissioner of Police A N Roy also said security has been beefed up in and around the city.

Maharashtra Deptuy Chief Minister R R Patil said in the backdrop of yesterday's foiled terrorist bid in UK and in view of Independence day celebrations and Ganesh festival, police is taking adequate care to avoid any untoward incident.

State Reserve Police (SRP) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed at sensitive places, he said.

Meanwhile a report from Hyderabad quoting intelligence sources said the Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) is planning to attack several vital projects, including the Nagarjuna Sagar, railway stations and airports in Andhra Pradesh.

The intelligence department had information that the LeT was planning to trigger blasts at Nagarjunasagar and Tungabhadra dams, Vijayawada thermal power station, buildings of Multi National IT organisations and RSS offices in the state.

Following the report, top brass of the police department issued a 12-point circular to the district Police Superintendents to tackle the problem. Police have stepped up security at all important places, including airports, railway stations, reservoirs and places of worship.

In Bangalore, security had been tightened in and around the airport. Additional forces from the BSF had been deployed at the airport. Besides, bomb disposal squads and dog squads were also kept ready. Air traffic from the city was not affected and all incoming and outgoing flights were flying as per schedule.

Several fresh security measures have been introduced at the Nedumbassery International Airport, near Kochi to prevent any terror attacks. The new measures include deployment of plain-clothed ''terminal marshals'', who are CISF sharpshooters armed with sophisticated weapons. The presence of surveillance teams in mufti had also been stepped up.

Zigzag barriers had been set up and random checking of vehicles was under-way. The ban on entry of visitors had been extended till August 20, the officials said.

Patrolling by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel has been stepped up while sniffer dogs and bomb squads are on alert.

Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of people and vehicles along the international border from Kathua to Jammu. A similar order has also been issued along the international border of Samba, R S Pura and Akhnoor.

Security arrangements at all vital establishments here, including airport, railway station and religious places, has also been tightened. Extra troops had been deployed at key installations in Jammu region. All vehicles entering the winter capital will be thoroughly searched at different check posts. Dog squads have also been pressed into service.

Security has also been beefed up throughout Nagaland following intelligence reports that underground outfits were planning subversive acts before Independence day.

Reports said some underground outfits from outside the state might plant explosive devices in populated areas, specially in the state capital Kohima and the commercial hub Dimapur. The state police also alerted vulnerable areas bordering Asom.

Security has been beefed up in Meghalaya following various militants outfit call to boycott Independence Day celebrations in the region. A high alert has been sounded in Garo Hills, particularly the areas bordering Asom, following an attack on security forces by the banned United Liberation Front of Asom.

The Naga regiment along with the paramilitary forces and state police have launched its 'Operation Drill' in the susceptible areas of Garo Hills. The BSF have also kept an extra vigil along the India-Bangladesh border.

In Delhi, police foiled a bid to target Independence Day celebrations with the arrest of two hardcore Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including a Pakistani national, from the New Delhi railway station last evening.

Police said Abu Anas, a resident of Islamabad in Pakistan and Abrar Ahmad who hails from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, were arrested while they were getting into an autorickshaw at the New Delhi railway station at 2200 hrs.

The men, who are in their 30s, had come from Jammu and Kashmir and were ''specifically assigned to target Independence Day celebrations,'' said a senior Delhi Police official.

Yesterday, Britain unearthed a massive terrorist plan to hijack as many as ten passenger planes between UK and the US and detained 21 people, including those of Pakistani origin.

UNI

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