New Delhi: Three metros-- Kolkata, Mumbai
and Delhi--and Gujarat state were put on high terror alert
today following intelligence inputs that Taliban-trained
`suicide` squads have sneaked into these places to attack
vital installations.
The seriousness of the situation could be gauged from the fact that PM Manmohan Singh called a security meet in view of the situation. Home Minister P Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister AK Antony and the chiefs of Intelligence Bureau and RAW were present at the meeting.
Bhaba Atomic Research Centre(BARC) and Bombay Stock
Exchange, both in Mumbai as well as US Consulate in Kolkata
are high on the radar of the `fidayeens` (suicide squads), a
top Union Home Ministry official said today.
RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Kolkata Port and some
unidentified defence establishments are also among the likely
targets of the "Pashtoon-looking" terrorists, the official
said.
The official said that just a few days before the
terrorists sneaked into the country some "facilitator" had
visited Mumbai to do a recce and to provide information about
the possible hotels and guest houses where the terrorists
could stay.
The official said instructions have been issued to
authorities concerned to tighten security in and around these
installations that may be targeted by the terrorists.
According to intelligence inputs, the World Cup Hockey,
scheduled to be held in Delhi in February, and some civilian
targets in Gujarat could also be targeted by these terrorists
who have entered the country with the help of Pakistan-based
terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT).
The Home Ministry has already alerted governments of
Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and the Delhi Police to take
necessary measures to beef up security in potential targets
and intensify patrolling, especially in airports, railway
stations, bus terminals and hotels, the official said.
In Kolkata, West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said
though no specific target has been mentioned in the
intelligence input, "we are keeping extra vigil and have
strengthened force deployment in all public places like
railway stations, airport, shopping malls and other areas".
Sen said the Centre`s note was received on December 12, a
day before the eighth anniversary of Parliament attack by
terrorists, prompting the state government to sound general
alert throughout the city.
-PTI
