Batla House encounter anniversary today; Delhi on high alert

The national capital was put on a high alert on the fifth anniversary of 2008 Batla House shootout.

New Delhi: The national capital was put on a high alert on Thursday on the fifth anniversary of 2008 Batla House shootout in which an Indian Mujahideen operative was given life term for killing a Delhi Police inspector.

The September 19, 2008, exchange of fire took place between a seven-member Delhi Police Special Cell team, led by Inspector MC Sharma, and suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists, who were allegedly involved in the September 13, 2008, serial blasts in Delhi that killed 26 people. The Delhi Police have directed all police stations to strengthen security in the wake of terror threats. According to intelligence agencies, Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba may strike to avenge the arrests of Yasin Bhatkal and Asadullah Akhtar. In 2010, Indian Mujahideen had carried out an attack near Jama Masjid on the anniversary of the encounter.