Kochi on terror alert, security beefed up

Kochi, Mar 13: Kochi has been put on high alert following intelligence inputs warning of a Lashkar-e-Taiba plot to carry out a strike in Kerala's port city.

Even though the inputs are not specific, the Centre issued a terror warning on Friday, Mar 12 as a precautionary measure. Quoting sources reports say that Union home secretary G K Pillai directed the city police commissioner to heighten vigil and security along the coast at vital installations and crowded places.

Kochi is the economic hub of Kerala and is also a major tourist destination. Security has been specially stepped up at Fort Kochi and at the Naval base.

With reports of terror threat to the Somnath temple in Gujarat, the security at the temple is also beefed up.

Kochi emerged as a potential target of terrorism as the authorities carried out interrogations on the arrested Indian Mujahideen (IM) cardre Salman.

In a disturbing revelation, the IM cadre said that terror outfits are recruiting jihadis from south India. Bhatkal brothers, Riyaz and Iqbal, who hail from Karnataka and are now based in Karachi, are the ones carrying out the recruitment. They have reportedly united as Deccan Mujahideen and some have returned back to India.

Earlier, the Home Ministry had issued a terror warning to three metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata following the initial questioning of Salman.

OneIndia News