New Delhi: The Home Ministry has asked Kerala Police to step up security in Kochi following Intelligence inputs that Lashkar-e-Toiba militants may attempt to strike the coastal city.
Following the inputs, Union Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai
spoke to Kochi Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham and asked him
to beef up security in and around the city, official sources
said.
The commercial capital of Kerala hosts Southern Command
of Indian Navy, a famous Jewish synagogue, Kochi Shipyard and
some other sensitive installations.
The Kochi backwaters frequented by foreign and domestic
tourists, are also believed to be under the radar of terror
groups.
International cruise ships and yachts are often
anchored at the Kochi harbour.
When contacted, Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri
Balakrishnan told a news agency in Thiruvananthapuram that the state DGP
received some information from the Centre and steps have been
taken on that basis.
High alert machinery has been put on active mode
following the receipt of the information, sources said.
The security at the nearby Nedumbassery International
Airport and coastal surveillance had been increased, they
said.
The Kadaloram Jagratta samitis, a committee of
fishermen, have been asked to be on the lookout for any
suspicious movements on the coastal stretches.
The Centre had recently put on alert Bangalore, Mumbai
and Union territory of Puducherry about possible terror
attacks.
PTI
