Terror alert: Security tightened in major cities, places of worship

Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting on internal security in Delhi in the wake of the terror threat.

New Delhi:

In the wake of high alert across India following intelligence inputs of terrorists having sneaked into the country from Pakistan, a multi-city terror alert has been issued to ensure no untoward incident occurs and terror attacks are averted.

Tier two cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Vijaywada, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Panji have been alerted about possible attacks. Besides Delhi where the alert was specifically issued on Sunday, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Bengaluru have also been alerted through security agencies.

According to the intelligence by Pakistan, while the terror suspects have entered India through Gujarat, there was no information on their subsequent movement which is why a multi city, pan India, alert was issued.

An advisory has been issued to enhance security at all strategic locations, sensitive industrial sites and religious places, including the Somnath Temple, after intelligence inputs suggested that the terrorists entered Gujarat taking the sea route, they added.

The Centre had sent out a precautionary alert, calling for a heightened vigil, particularly in Delhi given that Parliament is in session.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting on internal security in Delhi in the wake of the terror threat. Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officials will also be present for the meeting besides senior Home Ministry officials.

Meanwhile, four National Security Guard teams have been deployed in Gujarat in which three teams have been sent to Ahmedabad and one in Somnath where devotees are gathering for Shivratri celebrations.

\"We got the input yesterday after which all the police across Gujarat was alerted. There are continuous combing operations and several check posts have been set up. We are searching for suspects involved in different activities and every possible protective measure is being taken,\" Gujarat Director General of Police PC Thakur said.

In Gujarat, this is a second major alert about a possible terror strike in the state, which shares land and sea border with Pakistan.

Pakistan's National Security Advisor (NSA) Naseer Khan Janjua informed his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval about a group of fidayeen from the Lashkar-E-Taiba and Jaish-e Muhammed cadres on a mission to a major terror strike in the state.