Islamic State attack: Hyderabad on high alert, intelligence agencies warn of attacks on major cities
Hyderabad: The city police is on high alert following alerts from Central intelligence agencies on a possible terror strike in major cities. This follows an alert from Britain and the Indo-UK Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group about an ensuing IS strike.
Security has been stepped up at airports and major railway and bus stations. Since a five-member gang of alleged Simi activists had already struck at a bank in Karimnagar, all the districts police has also been on alert in Telangana. Senior police officers said that special security checks are conducted in various parts of the city and they will continue till January 26.
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Major establishments in Hyderabad and Cyberabad are under close surveillance. A special wing of the police is keeping a close watch on Internet users in the city to track down people getting attracted to IS and leaving for Syria or Iraq to join the terror group.
“We have initiated special vehicle checking and searches at different places in the city. Decoy operations are also conducted discreetly in the IT corridor and other important areas. We have stepped up security at major MNC companies, especially US based firms, in Cyberabad,” said Cyberabad police commissioner C.V. Anand. Hyderabad police officials said that busy markets and administrative buildings are given special protection.
Secret agents and police in mufti are also on the ground to track down possible movements of any terrorists. Officials from the Indo-UK Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group, after a meeting held in London on January 15-16, has conveyed that the British security has given warning of ISIS attack on Indian soil.
“We have asked Britain to be alert about possible attack by Lashkar-e-Tayyabba there. Britain in turn has warned us that an attack by ISIS could take place in India,” an official said.
Britain was more concerned over the ISIS threat than from Pakistan-based terror groups.
“Britain is petrified that a terror attack can take place on its soil by ISIS and radical elements associated with it may help the group,” the official said.
A US-returned engineer, on way to join ISIS was arrested in Hyderabad two days ago.
