Mumbai/New Delhi: The country was today put
on high alert with additional forces being deployed at public
places, especially in Maharashtra and Delhi, on the eve of the
second anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack.
In Mumbai, Home Minister P Chidambaram will lead
Mumbaikars at a commemoration function in memory of the 166
persons killed during the 60-hour siege.
With the security preparedness to deal with the
November 26, 2008 attack raising questions, IAF Chief Air
Chief Marshal P V Naik said the country was "now much better
prepared" to tackle Mumbai-type strikes.
"The Armed Forces were prepared then (26/11) and even
now there is no change (in readiness). But as a country, we
are now much better prepared (to tackle Mumbai-type terror
strikes)," Naik told reporters in New Delhi.
The Union Home Ministry has asked states and Union
Territories, particularly Maharashtra and Delhi, to deploy
additional forces in markets, religious and other public
places to thwart any attempts by militants to strike.
The Centre has also asked authorities to install a
sizeable number of CCTV cameras, metal detectors and other
electronics gadgets in crowded places to monitor movement of
people and keep a watch of those moving in suspicious
circumstances, an official said in New Delhi.
Special instructions have also been given to beef up
security along the country`s coastline as the ten Pakistani
terrorists who had carried out the carnage had come to Mumbai
taking the sea route.
The lone surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab has been sentenced
to death in connection with 26/11 attack in which two luxury
hotels--the iconic Taj and the Oberoi Trident--were also
targeted.
Last fortnight, a Western intelligence agency had
informed New Delhi that Pakistan-based terror outfit
Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) may launch spectacular strikes in crowded
places in Mumbai, similar to 26/11.
Another intelligence input had suggested that Kashmiri
terror outfits may strike in three markets, including popular
underground market Palika Bazar, in Delhi.
In Mumbai, Chidambaram will be joined by Petroleum
Minister Murli Deora and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj
Chavan at a commemoration function, to be held at the CNG
filling station in suburban Borivli.
P Unnikrishnan, father of slain NSG officer Major
Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who is riding a cycle from India Gate at
Delhi, will join a peace march to the Gateway of India.
A candle-lit silent prayer rally will be organised by
the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan and family members
of 26/11 victims, from Cama Hospital lane to St Xavier`s
college in South Mumbai.
The Indo-American Society has organised a meeting with
terror attack survivors Charles Cannon and Kia Scherr from One
Life Alliance.
At the CST railway station, there will be a
commemoration service for the terror victims, a railway
official said. A wreath will be laid in memory of the 166
people killed in the carnage.
PTI
