Hyderabad blasts: Security tightened at Indo-Nepal border

Mahrajganj(Uttar Pradesh),Feb 23: In the wake of Hyderabad blasts, the Uttar Pradesh and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have stepped up vigil along the Indo-Nepal border to prevent any untoward incidents. The security agencies have been asked to ascertain the identities of people before allowing them to cross over through the border, commandant SSB K S Bankothi said.

The SSB deployed in the area that falls under the Mahrajganj district, have installed close circuit cameras on each and every route leading to Nepal, he said. These cameras have been put on SSB posts besides on the main roads.

The dog squads trained in detecting narcotics and arms have also been deployed to check smuggling. After the deployment of dog squad there would be a lot of relief in checking the suspected people in the bordering area, Bankothi said.

"All the border outposts have been kept on high alert. Patrolling in sensitive border areas has been increased to check anti-national elements," the official said.

Apart from this, orders have been issued to other security agencies such as Indo-Nepal Border Police and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) to be on the alert at the border. SSB in the district sharing border with Nepal, have been put on high alert, Bankothi said.

Intelligence units have also been asked to keep an eye on religious places along the border. Patrolling of public spots such as halls, hotels, rail and bus stations have also been intensified to ward off untoward incidents, Bankothi added. "We are taking all precautionary steps to maintain law and order" and hence possibilities of any repercussions to Hyderabad blasts were few, he said.

Two powerful near simultaneous blasts had ripped through a crowded area close to a cluster of bus stands in Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad on Thursday in which 16 people were killed and 119 others injured.

PTI