State on high alert after LeT threat

DHNS

Bangalore/Mangalore/ New Delhi, 27 December 2010: The State has been put on high alert, especially in the coastal areas, following a Central intelligence input that Bangalore is on the hit list of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba’s New Year plan to strike at important Indian cities.

 

Ahead of the New Year, the Union Home Ministry sounded a country-wide terror alert, especially for Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Goa and Bangalore, based on intelligence inputs that LeT was planning strikes. According to intelligence agencies, LeT teams have already entered Mumbai and Ahmedabad and may strike at any time.

 

The reports also said some of the big IT companies and key establishments in Bangalore were also on the LeT hit list. Following this, the Centre has asked all the states to tighten security in sensitive locations. In Mumbai, security forces have already launched “house-to-house” searches in some areas.

 

The warning from the Union Home Ministry comes days after the Navy reported a suspicious boat loitering off the Karnataka coast. But after three days, the Navy gave a clean chit to the suspicious ship.

 

Taking the Centre’s warning seriously, the State government on Monday tightened security at important places of worship and tourist spots, especially in the coastal areas, which now is a virtual fortress.

 

“A 550-member strong paramilitary force provided by the Centre has been stationed in Bangalore to meet any emergency situation,” Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa told reporters after a high-level meeting with State Home Minister R Ashoka and top officials of the Home Department.

 

He also said there were no reports about terrorists infiltrating into the State. The police also tightened security at all reservoirs and malls following the alert, Yeddyurappa said. Round-the-clock security has been deployed at vital installations in the State, including the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant and popular tourist places like the beaches in the Uttara Kannada district, which tourists frequent during the New Year.

 

The police top brass requested the people not to panic and asserted they were “fully prepared” to deal with any eventualities. “We are fully equipped to tackle any situation. Hence, there is no need to panic,” Bangalore City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said.

 

According to Bidari, such alerts are “common” in the last week of December every year. But, the matter had been taken in “all seriousness.”

 

Bidari said additional police force would be deployed at crowded places in the City such as the Kempegowda bus stand, malls, shopping areas, railway station and airport.

 

The City police will not only beef up security in and around IT/BT firms, but also ask the companies concerned to enhance their internal security apparatus. Army commandos will  train 200 State police personnel in anti-terror operations. Lower-rung officers will be instructed to keep vigil on the movement of suspicious people. Owners of high-rise buildings and malls will be directed to subject every customer for a thorough screening. Additional security will be provided to major places of worship.

 

IGP (Western Range) Alok Mohan told Deccan Herald that the department was ready to protect the coast and the region. The Coastal Security Police from Hejamadi to Shiroor in Udupi has also been alerted.

 

Patrolling in the coast with  speedboats is now a routine exercise. Fishermen have also been told of the possible threat. “We have told them to keep a watch on any  unidentified ship or boat approaching the coast. The patrolling will continue till January 2,” said  CSP inspector  Kiran.