Security up at Mumbai temple after terror alert

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, January 22

Security has been tightened outside Mumbai’s popular Siddhivinayak temple at Dadar following an alert from intelligence agencies about a terrorist attack.

According to state government sources, central intelligence agencies have warned that Pakistan-based terrorists could attack the temple in the next few days.

The authorities here have been told that teams of terrorists have been sent from Pakistan to carry out an attack at the shrine on a Tuesday when large number of devotees flock to worship.

The names of the five-member terror team sent to attack Mumbai have been given as Abdullah Qureshi, Nasir Ali, Javed Iqbal, Mobid and Shamsher.

Security in the vicinity of the temple was tight and the police have thrown up barricades around the shrine. The lane adjacent to the temple have been closed to traffic and parking of vehicles prohibited.

According to the Dadar police, a sniffer dog squad has been kept on standby near the shrine and shops selling prasad items have been asked to install CCTVs as a precautionary measure.

Armed policemen have also been stationed behind sandbags at various points around the temple, the police said.

The Siddhivinayak temple has been on the sights of Pakistan-based terrorist groups for a long time, the police say.