The national capital has been put on high alert, after Delhi police received a letter from the Intelligence Bureau on Friday, warning it of a possible terror attack ahead of Independence Day. Inputs were received from central security agencies that Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba terror group may attempt to attack markets or places of strategic importance.
The alert quoted a paragraph from a speech given by Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashker-e-Taiba, delivered last month in Pakistan where he had openly threatened that members of the outfit will carry out an attack in the national capital. Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, on Friday tweeted that ‘time is near when those oppressed in Kashmir, Palestine and Burma will celebrate Eid in the air of Freedom’. Security has been beefed-up following the alert.
Close circuit television cameras installed in various market places and shopping malls are being monitored by the police and shop and business establishment owners in the city are being sensitised, sources said, adding, intense vigil is being maintained on key areas like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.
However, Delhi police commissioner B S Bassi sought to downplay the heightened security in the city saying the force has been constantly reviewing the security arrangements in view of the Independence Day celebrations. ‘We are maintaining a high vigil as part of preparations for the Independence Day celebrations,’ he said.
But S N Srivastava, special commissioner of police (special cell) confirmed receiving information of a possible terror strike and said, 'We have received a letter from the IB alerting us of a possible terror strike. They have received inputs that indicate towards a possible terror strike on or around 15 August.'
Senior officials of every district in Delhi have been informed about the alert and have been instructed to keep a close watch on all high-security and sensitive areas.
However, when Millennium Post contacted police stations in the capital, most station head officers (SHOs) seemed to be unaware of the alert.
Millennium Post contacted police stations in Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Greater Kailash, and Connought Place and received similar responses at each place. 'We have not received any specific instruction from the additional commissioner of police or deputy commissioner of police. However, we anyway remain on alert during any festive season,’ officials said.
P Karunakaran, deputy commissioner of police (south-east) said, 'We are aware of the alert and have transmitted the information about the IB warning to all police stations in our area. We also carried out a mock drill on Friday evening to make civilians and police officals familiar with safety measures to be taken, along with the steps to be followed in case of a terror strike.'
Millennium Post visited Lajpat Nagar market, one of the city’s most crowded and popular markets, on both Thursday and Friday to review the security arrangement after the alert, but was shocked to see police deployed only at the entry gates. Even the parking attendants had not been instructed to check the vehicles before allowing them in.
However, on Friday evening, entry to the India Gate lawns had been closed and tight security had been put in place at the India Gate area.
The alert quoted a paragraph from a speech given by Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashker-e-Taiba, delivered last month in Pakistan where he had openly threatened that members of the outfit will carry out an attack in the national capital. Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, on Friday tweeted that ‘time is near when those oppressed in Kashmir, Palestine and Burma will celebrate Eid in the air of Freedom’. Security has been beefed-up following the alert.
Close circuit television cameras installed in various market places and shopping malls are being monitored by the police and shop and business establishment owners in the city are being sensitised, sources said, adding, intense vigil is being maintained on key areas like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.
However, Delhi police commissioner B S Bassi sought to downplay the heightened security in the city saying the force has been constantly reviewing the security arrangements in view of the Independence Day celebrations. ‘We are maintaining a high vigil as part of preparations for the Independence Day celebrations,’ he said.
But S N Srivastava, special commissioner of police (special cell) confirmed receiving information of a possible terror strike and said, 'We have received a letter from the IB alerting us of a possible terror strike. They have received inputs that indicate towards a possible terror strike on or around 15 August.'
Senior officials of every district in Delhi have been informed about the alert and have been instructed to keep a close watch on all high-security and sensitive areas.
However, when Millennium Post contacted police stations in the capital, most station head officers (SHOs) seemed to be unaware of the alert.
Millennium Post contacted police stations in Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Greater Kailash, and Connought Place and received similar responses at each place. 'We have not received any specific instruction from the additional commissioner of police or deputy commissioner of police. However, we anyway remain on alert during any festive season,’ officials said.
P Karunakaran, deputy commissioner of police (south-east) said, 'We are aware of the alert and have transmitted the information about the IB warning to all police stations in our area. We also carried out a mock drill on Friday evening to make civilians and police officals familiar with safety measures to be taken, along with the steps to be followed in case of a terror strike.'
Millennium Post visited Lajpat Nagar market, one of the city’s most crowded and popular markets, on both Thursday and Friday to review the security arrangement after the alert, but was shocked to see police deployed only at the entry gates. Even the parking attendants had not been instructed to check the vehicles before allowing them in.
However, on Friday evening, entry to the India Gate lawns had been closed and tight security had been put in place at the India Gate area.