Desperate Pakistan may orchestrate attacks, stay alert, Home ministry advises states

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory asking all states to remain vigilant during the upcoming festive season. The advisory also asks all metros to stay vigilant for the next 30 days. The advisory has been issued following the surgical strike that India carried out across the Line of Control. Border areas are already on heightened alert. Several villages have already been evacuated along the border as a precautionary measure.

On Thursday, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had also warned that a desperate Pakistan may orchestrate a terrorist retaliation. Pakistan is likely to sponsor a series of attacks on India, IB had warned.

While there is already heightened alert along the border areas, officials warn that Pakistan may try and engineer a strike in a major city as well. The IB has directed police officials of major cities to remain on alert as some Pakistan-sponsored elements may try and strike. The alert warns against strikes by Pakistan on strategic locations as well as crowded areas.

Intelligence Bureau officials said while army camps and checkposts along the border with Pakistan are on terrorists' radar, in the cities, crowded areas and major locations are potential targets.

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The alert calls on city officials to watch out for sleeper cells of outfits that subscribe to Pakistan-based terror groups. Fringe elements also could be activated to carry out a strike, IB officials warn.

Home Minstry officials say that a desperate Pakistan will look to hit back and hence security must be tight. Police officials must check all elements including those belonging to fringe groups to ensure that nothing untoward takes place, a Home ministry official said.

OneIndia News