Army steps up vigil over inputs of possible terror attack in southern India; Kerala issues high alert

The Indian Army on Monday said it has received “many inputs” about a possible terrorist attack in southern or peninsular India, prompting the Kerala Police to issue a high alert.

“We have got many inputs that there may be a terrorist attack in the southern part of India and peninsular India. There have been some abandoned boats also which have been recovered in the area of Sir Creek,” SK Saini, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command told mediapersons in Pune.

He said the army has undertaken “measures for capacity building and capability development” due to heightened threat in Sir Creek.

“We have undertaken measures for capacity building and capability development in the area of Sir Creek, keeping in mind the enhanced threat,” he said, adding that the precautions were being taken to ensure that inimical elements or terrorists do not succeed in their designs.

Saini was speaking on the sidelines of the commencement of Phase II infrastructural development at the Army Law College near Kanhe.

A fortnight ago, government sources had told ANI that Pakistan had deployed SSG commandos along Sir Creek in Gujarat to carry out anti-India activities in the region.

In view of the army’s warning, Kerala Police on Monday issued an alert to all districts of the state. Director General of Police (DGP) Loknath Behera said that police across the state have been directed to maintain vigil at public places.

A defence spokesperson in Chennai was quoted as saying by PTI the “northern most point of the Army’s southern command includes some parts of Gujarat also. The word ‘south’ from southern command GOC does not mean Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka only. It includes complete southern peninsula and parts of Gujarat.”

In Andhra Pradesh, security along the 974-kilometre-long coastline has been beefed up following threats of a possible terror attack in south India, a top police official said. “Security has also been stepped up at vital installations in the state by deploying the AP Special Protection Force,” Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Ravi Shankar Ayyanar told PTI.

“Our control room is in constant touch 24x7 with all the coastal police stations, as well as the SPF personnel at vital installations and closely monitoring the situation,” he added.

In particular, security has also been beefed up at Tirumala, the abode of God Venkateswara and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.

The developments come amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the scrapping of provisions under Article 370 which gave “special status” to Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has been accused of making “irresponsible” and “provocative” statements after India’s move in August. India has constantly asserted that the revocation of Article 370 was an internal matter.