Badal condemns Mumbai attacks, security stepped up

Chandigarh, Nov 27 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today condemned the Mumbai terror attacks even as security in the border state was beefed up.

Official sources said the security forces in the state had been put on alert following yesterday's terror strikes. Patrolling by the Punjab Police had also been stepped up in the main towns of Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, the sources added.

The security at the Raja Sansi international airport at Amritsar has further been strengthened. Close vigil is being kept on income passengers and those boarding flights.

Intensive search operations have also been launched at all railway stations and bus stands in the state. Security at all major hotels has also been strengthened.

The security network in the Union Territory of Chandigarh is also beefed up in view of the visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi amid tension emerging from the terror attacks.

Security at the Taj Hotel here was also reviewed by senior police officials and additional policemen are stationed there.

The Haryana government has also stepped up its security in the state, particularly in the busy town of Gurgaon and in other parts of the National Capital Region. Police personnel have been stationed outside all major hotels and malls in Gurgaon.

Mr Badal described the attacks ''most tragic and most reprehensible''. He said no religion preaches hatred, violence and killing of innocents'' Mr Badal also called upon the nation to stay united and maintain peace and communal harmony at all costs.

The Chief Minister also hoped that political parties and leaders would not succumb to the temptation of indulging in any blame game and would treat violence as ''a common enemy of mankind.'' He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the next of kin of the victims of the Mumbai strikes.

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