LeT threat: Multi city terror alert issued

Following intelligence of suspect Lashkar-e-Taiba infiltration through the Gujarat-Pakistan border, a multi-city terror alert has been issued to ensure no untoward incident happens and terror attacks are averted.

Tier two cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Vijaywada, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Panji have also been alerted about possible attacks.

Besides Delhi where the alert was specifically issued yesterday, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Bangalore have also been alerted through security agencies.

According to the intelligence by Pakistan, while the terror suspects have entered India through Gujarat, there was no information on their subsequent movement which is why a multi city, pan India, alert was issued.

Gujarat went on alert due to information that 10 terrorists have crossed over from Pakistan into the border state.

The Centre had sent out a precautionary alert, calling for a heightened vigil, particularly in Delhi given that Parliament is in session.

Earlier today, Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting on internal security in Delhi in the wake of the terror threat.

Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officials were also present for the meeting besides senior Home Ministry officials.

Meanwhile, four National Security Guard teams have been deployed in Gujarat in which three teams have been sent to Ahmedabad and one in Somnath where devotees are gathering for Shivratri celebrations.

"We got the input yesterday after which all the police across Gujarat was alerted. There are continuous combing operations and several check posts have been set up. We are searching for suspects involved in different activities and every possible protective measure is being taken," Gujarat Director General of Police PC Thakur told the media here.

Appealing to the people of Gujarat that they should not panic, Thakur assured that the security forces are ready to counter the situation.

In Gujarat, this is a second major alert about a possible terror strike in the state, which shares land and sea border with Pakistan.

Pakistan's National Security Advisor (NSA) Naseer Khan Janjua informed his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval about a group of fidayeen from the Lashkar-E-Taiba and Jaish-e Muhammed cadres on a mission to a major terror strike in the state.