AGENCY
NEW DELHI: Home minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the internal security situation in the country in the wake of inputs that 10 suspected LeT and JeM terrorists have entered India from Pakistan through Gujarat.
At a high-level meeting, attended by top security officials including Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Director of Intelligence Bureau Dineshwar Sharma, Singh took stock of the situation and the steps taken to prevent any possible terror attacks.
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.
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.
However, so far there is no clue about the suspected terrorists, who were believed to have entered Gujarat, which could be their prime target.
An alert has already been sounded in Gujarat and other major metropolitan centres by central security agencies following reports that the 10 terrorists have entered the western state to carry out attacks against high-value targets.
A similar alert has also been sent to Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chandigarh.
In view of the January 2 terror attack in Pathankot airbase, security agencies were not taking any chances and all possible steps are being taken to prevent any possible terror attacks, sources said.
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.
Four NSG teams were stationed in Gujarat where massive police combing operations and robust security were in place at major temples and other vital installations.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel held a high-level security meeting to review the situation. Inspite of reports that terrorists might strike in Delhi or other places, Gujarat Police has decided 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 state police to thwart any terror strike in Gujarat. We have also informed the CM about what kind of co-operation we are getting from para-military forces and central agencies in our efforts to intensify the security cover in the state,” Gujarat DGP P.C Thakur said.
Since Somnath Temple in Gir-Somnath District has remained on the target of terrorists, more than 250 policemen along with State Reserve Police as well as NSG commandos are deployed in and outside the Temple since Sunday.
Security was also tightened in Jammu and Kashmir, two days after a top army commander disclosed that there were “disturbing” inputs about a terror attack in the country and also after the detection of a tunnel along the international border in Jammu region.
