MHA reviews threats, but no clear leads yet

The country remained on high alert on Monday even as the security brass huddled to discuss the terror threat emanating from Pakistan against the backdrop of intelligence inputs indicating that 10 Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists have entered India from Pakistan through Gujarat, prompting an unprecedented security cover. The multi-city terror alert has come when Mahashivratri celebrations were going on in the country.

Home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday reviewed the internal security situation at a high-level meeting in Delhi attended by top security officials, including home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Intelligence Bureau director Dineshwar Sharma. So far there is no clue about the suspected terrorists, who were believed to have entered Gujarat, which could be their prime target. Massive police combing operations are going on the trace the suspected infiltrated terrorists .

The home minister was briefed that four NSG teams have taken position in different locations in Gujarat and would rush to any place if there is any emergency, official sources said. Mr Singh also reviewed the steps taken to beef up security in strategic locations, religious sites and industrial spots in Gujarat and metro cities apprehending threats, they said.

A multi-city alert has already been sounded in Gujarat and other major metropolitan centres. States like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chandigarh have been asked to beef up security.

In the national capital, police presence and patrolling around temples which were teeming with devotees, popular markets, iconic buildings and other places like Metro stations, railway stations and bus terminus, which witness very high footfall, have been stepped up, a senior official said.

Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel held a high-level security meeting to review the situation. Despite reports that terrorists might strike in Delhi or other places, the Gujarat police has decided to not to let its guard down till they are 100 per cent sure that the state is safe.

“We have informed the CM about steps taken by the state police to thwart any terror strike in Gujarat. We have also informed the CM about what kind of cooperation we are getting from paramilitary forces and Central agencies in our efforts to intensify the security cover in the state,” Gujarat DGP P.C. Thakur said.