Capital to be on high alert

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

Delhi will remain on high alert till Republic Day as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has asked the Delhi Police to be prepared in order to foil any terror strikes.

After issuing alert by the security agencies, the Delhi Police has started taking stock of the situation. Police have started meetings with the agencies concerned and security measures have been initiated, especially at Rajpath. The paramilitary force has been detailed on every spot for 24x7.

According to a Delhi Police official, the terrorist may hide explosives in animal, human body and cause explosions at airports, crowded posh bazaars, malls, big hotels and trains.

In the alert issued to the police, it has also been told that the terrorist may hide explosives in perfume bottles and computer scanners which can explode.

Hence, the police will be keep an eye on these items also.

The directive has come after intelligence inputs suggested that there could be 6 to 10 Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists who had crossed over to India from Pakistan through Punjab in recent past.

According to sources, six suspected JeM terrorists were killed in the Pathankot air base after three days of fierce gun battle, but there is a possibility of a few remaining at large. The Pakistani terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, ISIS may attack by a chartered plane as well.

The CISF, which guards the high-valued installation, has been asked to maintain extra vigil with the deployment of additional personnel at airport and metro and carry out intensive searching of all passengers.

The airport security has been strengthened and on suspicion, a passenger could be asked to undergo secondary ladder checking or body scanner as terrorists may try to create a hostage-like situation. The DCP, IGI Airport, has also asked the staff of several airlines to be on high alert, telling them to report any suspicious movement.