Laden's killing: Alert sounded in Maharashtra

Mumbai, May 2: A general alert has been sounded and security has been tightened across the state, particularly in the metropolis, to pre-empt any possible "retaliation" by terror outfits following the killing of al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden today (May 2), police said.

Almost 10 years after the 9/11 terror strike, 54-year-old Laden was killed by the US forces after being hounded in a special operation in Abbottabad in Pakistan.

"A general alert has been sounded in the state and all the police units have been told to be on vigil to avert any possible retaliation in the backdrop of Laden's killing," said Gulabrao Pol, Special Inspector General of Police (Law and Order).

In Mumbai, checking by the police, particularly at suburban railway network used by millions of citizens daily, are being carried out and nakabandis have been intensified, police said. Vehicles are being checked randomly whereas railway police is scanning the luggage of passengers, he said.

Policemen deployed around various consulates, particularly at US consulate, and at various vital installations have been ordered to be on vigil, a senior IPS official adding, "Gun- toting cops with advanced police vehicles are patrolling in the city."

Government Railway Police Commissioner Tukaram Chavan said, "As a precautionary measure, we have asked our men to be alert. Railway police are randomly checking the bags of passengers. Lashkar-e-Taiba, Indian Mujahideen and other terror outfits are linked to al Qaeda, may retaliate for Laden''s killing. Moreover, there are also inputs that sleeper cells of various terror outfits are operating in the state."

In order to prevent any sort of terror attack or untoward incident, they had taken all security measures, Chavan said.

PTI