Security intensified in Mumbai for 26/11 second anniversary

As the city gears up to mark the second anniversary of 26/11 carnage in which 166 people were killed, police have sounded an alert and intensified security following reports that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba may launch strikes here.

"With terror threat lingering over the city in the view of the second anniversary of 26/11, we have made elaborate security arrangements and Mumbai has been put on alert," DCP (Operations) Rajkumar Vhatkar said here today.

A foreign intelligence agency had informed Delhi recently that LeT may launch "spectacular strikes" in crowded places in Mumbai, similar to the one carried out two years ago, he said, adding, a slew of programmes have been planned to mark the anniversary and proper security has been ensured for the same.

Tight security is in place as Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will be in Mumbai to participate at a programme to be held at the CNG filling station in Borivli, police said.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, his deputy Ajit Pawar and state Home Minister R R Patil will lay wreaths at martyrs' memorial at Police Gymkhana in Marine Lines along with senior police officials and other dignitaries, police said.

Amidst other programmes, P Unnikrishnan, father of slain NSG officer Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who has undertaken a cycle tour from India Gate in Delhi, will join a peace march at the Gateway of India.

Based on specific inputs, the Union Home Ministry had asked police to deploy additional forces in markets, religious and other public places to keep extra vigil during the second anniversary of the attack.

Meanwhile, a parade has been organised tomorrow with participation of Force One, a specialised unit raised after the carnage, Quick Response Teams and local police.

The parade will also showcase the state-of-the-art weaponry acquired in the aftermath of 26/11. A nearly 1.5-km-long banner depicting the 'spirit of Mumbai' will be displayed by hundreds of people starting from Oberoi Hotel, one of the places attacked by the terrorists.

There will be a lecture by Air Commodore (Retd) Jasjit Singh on the terror attacks and their national, regional and global impact.

In the evening, a multi-religion discourse will be organised at Gateway of India.