Centre asks states to beef up security of VIPs

New Delhi, Jan 19: In view of heightened threat from Pakistan-based terror groups, the Centre has asked all states to beef up security of all VIPs.

In an advisory, the Home Ministry has informed the states about intelligence inputs that terrorist groups like JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba may try to carry out attacks on VIPs ahead of the Republic Day, a Home Ministry official said.

Government has already put Delhi on a high alert after the terrorist attack on Pathankot air base following reports that two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists have sneaked into the capital.

Days before the Pathankot attack, central security agencies had reported that a group of 8 to 10 terrorists had crossed border from Pakistan. A similar report from Punjab government had said at least 15 terrorists from Pakistan had breached the border.

The sources said there may be a few terrorists waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on Monday reviewed the security situation in the national capital with the Delhi Police chief and senior officials of intelligence and security agencies.

Top officials of central intelligence and investigative agencies and police of 13 states, including Delhi, had earlier held a meeting with the Home Minister on Saturday and discussed steps to check the growing influence of terror group Islamic State among youngsters through social media and other sources.

PTI