Bhopal on high alert as intelligence warns of Simi revenge attack

Bhopal: A high alert has been sounded in Bhopal following intelligence inputs on a possible strike on the central jail here by Islamic fundamentalists to avenge the October 31 “encounter” killing of eight suspected Simi members on the outskirts of the city.

An emergency meeting of senior Madhya Pradesh (MP) police officers was convened in the wee hours of Sunday, soon after the alert reached police headquarters here at around 2.30 am, a senior police officer told this newspaper on condition of anonymity.

“Simi may launch a major attack on Bhopal Central Jail within three days to avenge the October 31 killing of eight of their members in the encounter after they escaped the prison. Some terrorists have already intruded the walled city and conducted recee around the high security jail”, the police officer quoting the intelligence report said. As many as 21 under-trial Simi members are currently lodged in Bhopal Central Jail.

“We have strengthened security in the Bhopal Central Jail as well as in the city following the alert. Besides, authorities of all the Central jails, district jails and sub-jails in the state have been asked to be on high alert following the threat of attack from the Islamic radicals”, he added.