Alert in Bihar after intel on entry of 3 Pakistani terrorists via Nepal

A statewide security alert was sounded in Bihar after intelligence inputs suggested that three Pakistan-based terrorists of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit had entered the state through Nepal, officials said on Thursday.

The Bihar Police circulated names and photographs of the suspects — Hasnain Ali of Rawalpindi, Adil Hussain of Umerkot and Mohammad Usman of Bahawalpur — to all districts. The trio is suspected to have crossed into Bihar through Araria.

State DGP Vinay Kumar confirmed that a “general alert” had been issued. “All district police and specialised units have been directed to maintain extraordinary vigilance, step up patrolling and launch intensive search operations to foil any attempt by anti-national elements. Security has already been heightened across the state,” he said, without disclosing further details.

Sources, however, confirmed that intelligence inputs indicated the presence of all three terrorists in Bihar.

Given the state’s porous border with Nepal, security has been stepped up around sensitive installations, religious sites and tourist hotspots, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir, Mahaveer Temple and Takht Sri Harimandir Ji in Patna Sahib. Security has also been tightened at airports and railway stations.