Punjab, neighbouring states put on alert after Gurdaspur attack

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 27

The Security Forces in Punjab went on "maximum alert" in the wake of a terror attack in Gurdaspur district today, about three weeks ahead of the Independence Day.

A senior police official said in view of the attack, "maximum alert" was sounded across the state and security was beefed up along its borders with neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir.

Additional police and other security personnel were deployed around vital installations and key public places in the state, the official said.

He said the police have set up 'nakas' or check-points and intensified checking of vehicles.

The BSF, which guards the Indo-Pak border, wad also put on high alert after the incident, he said.

Alert has also been sounded in neighbouring state Haryana and Chandigarh.

In Delhi too, security was beefed up and a red alert was sounded following the terror attack.

"The security in the national capital, which is always kept on high alert, is beefed up around Independence Day. However, following the attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, a red alert has been issued here," said a police officer.

He said special security arrangements were made at all railway stations, bus stops, major markets and important government buildings and offices.

A similar alert was sounded in Himachal Pradesh at Kangra, Una and Chamba districts, which shares border area with Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Intelligence agencies have also issued high alert in four prominent cities of Maharashtra.

"Intelligence agencies have sounded a high alert for Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur cities. Intelligence agencies have told us that there should be high security for a few days in places like malls, railway stations and cinema halls as there could be a possible terror attack in one of these cities in the coming days," minister of state for home Ram Shinde told PTI here.

—with PTI inputs