'Red alert' around Hindu temples in Pak in wake of Babri mosque verdict

Karachi, Oct 1 (ANI): A large number of police personnel have been deployed at Hindu temples in Karachi, following the Allahabad High Court's announcement of verdict on the Babri mosque standoff in Ayodhya, sources said.

Security was stepped up at the Hindu places of worship, including the Shiva temple in Clifton, the Swami Narain temple at the MA Jinnah Road, the Panj Mukhi Hanuman temple in Soldier Bazaar area and the Hanuman temples at Native Jetty, Cantt Station, Frere Market and Jahangir Road, the Daily Times reported.

DIG (South) Iqbal Mahmood revealed that the police had declared a red alert in the vicinities of Hindu temples following CCPO Fayyaz Laghari's directives.

There are around a hundred temples in the South zone, and in addition to over 200 police officials on an alert, reserve police have also been alerted, he added.

Experts fear that following the verdict, extremist elements could carry out attacks in any part of Pakistan, and particularly in Karachi.

According to the court's verdict, the land has been divided between the Hindus and the Muslims (one-third for the Waqf Board, a third for Ram Lalla Virajman, and a third for the Nirmohi Akhara). The judgement says that the disputed site is the birthplace of Lord Ram and that the portion below the central dome under which idols are placed be allotted to Hindus. (ANI)