Security intensified at major temples in Delhi after Maha Shivratri terror alert

New Delhi: Security was tightened at major temples in the city on Monday in view of Maha Shivratri festival, amid a terror alert in the national capital and other major metros.

A meeting of the top brass of Delhi Police was held following which all Deputy Commissioners were instructed to heighten vigil in their districts, a day after the force received intelligence input about a potential terror strike by 10 suspected militants of LeT and JeM outfits who are believed to have entered Indian territory through Gujarat.

Police presence and patrolling around temples which were teeming with devotees, popular markets, iconic buildings and other places like metro stations, railway stations and bus terminus, which witness very high footfall, has been stepped up, a senior official said.

In view of the intelligence input, Delhi Police had on Sunday heightened its vigil near iconic buildings and military installations in the national capital and security arrangements were strengthened near prominent malls, hospitals, schools and colleges in the city, a police source said.

He said the input specifically mentions about 10 militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfits who have entered into Indian territory via Gujarat and that they can carry out a terrorist strike in Delhi.

The Special Cell and Crime Branch of Delhi Police have been briefed about the input separately to ensure that activities of gangs operating in and around the city and elements with suspected terror links are monitored.

The police are also ensuring that CCTV cameras at all places with high footfall, like popular markets in the city and metro stations, are functional, the source added.

The alert was first sounded in Gujarat on Saturday, following which four NSG teams were rushed there.

PTI