Beef up security at schools, public places: Home Minister to states

Says high possibility of terrorist attack in India in the light of upcoming visit of the US president

The central government has asked states to beef up security, especially in educational institutions, following the terror attack at an army-run school in Pakistan, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Wednesday.

"I just want to say that all state governments have been issued an advisory by the home ministry," he told reporters outside parliament on being asked whether steps have been taken by the government to secure educational institutions.

The advisory, issued late Tuesday night, said in view of terror attack on the Pakistani school, a terror incident in Sydney and "heightened possibility of terrorist attack" in India in the light of upcoming visit of the US president, all states and other authorities concerned have been asked to remain alert.

"The law enforcement agencies should take all measures towards target hardening of vulnerable places and installations. This includes public places with high footfalls, public transport, including railways, and schools in particular," the advisory said.

In the light of the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in which over 140 people, mostly children, were killed, the advisory said: "There appears to be an immediate requirement to scale up security around schools and other educational institution which are considered more valuable due to a variety of factors."

It said that "mock drills" should be carried out in vulnerable locations.