Security beefed up following alert on suspected terrorist infiltration in Gujarat

Chennai: Security was beefed up in the state on Monday, covering strategic locations, vital installations and religious places, following the alert on suspected terrorist infiltration in Gujarat.

The Intelligence Bureau had sounded an alert to Gujarat and other metros that there were reports of terrorist infiltration from Pakistan, suspected to be members of LeT and JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed).

Since the alert suggested that terrorists reportedly took out the sea route, the coastline had been brought under surveillance. The pattern suggested they could have been planning attacks similar to 26/11 Mumbai terror strike.

The coastline of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry covers an expanse of 1,233 km, of which the territorial waters is patrolled by Coast Guard and Coastal Security Group, and the Navy secures the international waters. Similarly, the inter-state borders were also beefed up to prevent any untoward incident.

“We do not want to take any chances. We are prepared for any contingency. We have anti-terror drills periodically. Such exercise comes in handy at these times of terror threats”, said a top police officer.

“We have also provided extra cover to Siva temples since devotees are expected to throng in huge numbers today, Mahasivarathri”, he said. Similar precautions have been taken at railway stations, bus stands, airport and other areas where people congregate in large numbers.