Govt orders time-bound security audit of vulnerable installations

According to official sources, the brass of security apparatus also took stock of various aspects of internal security

A time-bound security audit will be conducted for all “vulnerable” installations of armed forces, para-military and police, the central government announced on Friday.

This was after a hour's review meeting on the January 2 terrorist attack on the Pathankot air base. Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired it. It was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, national security advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials of security and intelligence agencies.

“In view of the continuing threats from hostile elements from across the border, the need to further upgrade both intelligence and preventive abilities, especially in terms of technology, was stressed,” said the home ministry.

The meet was a day after the Indian and Pakistani governments deferred foreign secretary talks and India gave the go-ahead to the visit of a team from Pakistan on the Pathankot attack.

At the meeting, ministers and officials felt once the intelligence input in the attack had been confirmed, the response time was quick enough, both in terms of the decisions taken and in deployment of forces.

Also, that many pluses displayed by all the agencies concerned, especially in terms of combined response, needed to be commended and built on, the statement added. The ministers appreciated the work done by intelligence agencies in giving advance warning of the attack and of the security agencies in effectively meeting the challenge and minimising the possible damage.

However, the meeting felt the need to have a better media communication strategy. It was decided that in such happenings, the media is best briefed by authorised persons on the spot. Arrangements for this, including training, should be put in place, the ministry said.

Official sources said the brass of the security apparatus also took stock of various aspects of internal security.

Instructions have been given to ensure security in all sensitive locations, border areas and major urban centres, including Delhi.

Where the Republic Day's main function will have French President Francois Hollande as chief guest.

Chiefs of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research & Analysis Wing shared various inputs. The head of the National Investigation Agency gave a briefing on the ongoing probe into Pathankot, sources said.

Both domestic and international flights have already been asked to upgrade the scale of security, with some passengers being made to undergo 'secondary ladder checking' in some. This is conducted when a passenger is about to enter the aircraft, to ensure no weapon or chemical is being carried.