India went on high alert on Saturday following a series of terror attacks in Paris that left more than 120 people dead and many others injured.
India went on high alert on Saturday following a series of terror attacks in Paris that left more than 120 people dead and many others injured. Hours after the attack, the government said no Indian casualty had been reported in the terror attacks even as the Indian embassy in France opened a helpline number, 0140507070, for all Indians to reach out for information and help.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who is in Los Angeles to attend a Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas meet, tweeted saying, “No Indian casualty has been reported in the terror attacks in France that killed at least 127 people and injured nearly 200 others. I have spoken to Indian ambassador in France. He has informed me that all Indians are safe. France has advised citizens to stay indoors.”
The attacks in Paris came as a grim reminder of the horrific 26/11 terror siege as eight terrorists armed with automatics and suicide vests unleashed Mumbai-type mayhem in six crowded parts of the French capital, drawing international condemnation. Manish Prabhat, Indian deputy chief of mission, told a news agency: “So far no casualty of any Indian has been reported as per the information available with us. We released a helpline number following the information of attacks and throughout the night have received calls, but no incident involving an Indian has been reported.”
“We are trying to reach out to the Indian community members here also using the social media and are advising them to further reach out in their circles for any information,” he added. Mr Prabhat said Paris was home to some 100,000 Indians. Soon after the horrific serial attacks, Indian ambassador Mohan Kumar tweeted: “We hope all Indians are safe. Our prayers (are) with families affected and solidarity with France.” “Indian embassy telephone 0140507070 open, we hope all Indians are safe. Our prayers with families affected and solidarity with France,” he said.
Meanwhile, all security forces and state governments have been asked to strengthen security, including at all foreign embassies and consulates in the country. In Delhi, security was scaled up particularly outside the French embassy, besides at government buildings and the international airport following an alert from the intelligence agencies. In Maharashtra, security was stepped up around major establishments across various cities, including Mumbai.
Official sources said the police has been asked to increase vigil and post additional personnel outside all embassies and high commissions here, and consulates in different cities across India. The security forces were also asked to keep a tight vigil at airports, railway stations, bus terminals, markets and religious places. “All police units have been asked to review and access control measures at places with heavy footfall,” Maharashtra director-general of police Praveen Dixit said. “Owners and managers of such places have also been asked to do mock drills to avoid any possible untoward incidents,” Mr Dixit said.
