 "Punjab terror attack: Key installations and markets under tight vigil")
The home ministry on Monday asked state governments to remain vigilant after three alleged terrorists stormed a police station and killed at least seven, including a senior police officer, in Punjab's Gurdaspur district.
Punjab Police personnel, along with army jawans, gunned down all the three terrorists in a marathon operation that lasted for more than 10 hours.
Officials in the home ministry said special focus was being given in the national capital after rumours of firing in the close proximity of Parliament sent alarm bells ringing in the security establishment. Parliament had witnessed a terror attack in December 2001.
The Railway Protection Force, too, has been asked to stay alert after reports of location of crude bombs on the tracks. Though no terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility yet, the slain militants were suspected to be from Pakistan-based terror outfit Laskhar-e-Toiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad. The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army deployed along the international border and the line of control have been asked to keep a strict check on infiltration bids. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), deployed at airports, Metros and sensitive installations, has been asked to increase vigil.
On Monday evening, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor A K Doval and chiefs of the intelligence agencies and the BSF met to review the internal security situation and border infiltration bids from Pakistan. Security agencies fear that the slain militants had infiltrated to target the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, but altered their plans because of the tight security. A clear picture will emerge only after the home minister speaks in Parliament on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed about the review meeting.
Police deployment in streets and public places has been increased in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru, among others. While Assam has sounded a red alert, the Uttar Pradesh home secretary has issued instructions to all police officers and district magistrates to ramp up security and mobilise local intelligence units.
PUNJAB: RESURGENCE OF TERRORISM?
Jan 5,'15: Thailand authorities arrest Babbar Khalsa militant Jagtar Singh Tara, convicted for his involvement in a bomb attack in 1995 that killed former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and at least 15 others
Jan 17: Tara extradited from Thailand
Feb 5: Tara's interrogation revealed his handler was a Lahore-based Lieutenant Colonel-rank army officer of the ISI who moved Tara from Pakistan to Thailand in 2014 to "develop sleeper cells in India"; a camp was held in July 2014 in Mea Sot (a town in Thailand bordering Myanmar) where "five UK-based Khalistan terrorists" were trained, including two wanted by Punjab Police in the August 2009 killing of Rulda Singh, head of RSS wing Rashtriya Sikh Sangat
Apr 12: Shiv Sena state secretary Harvinder Soni shot at in Gurdaspur
Apr 23: Indian agencies raise concerns with their Canadian counterparts about anti-India activities of some pro-Khalistan extremist groups and individuals operating in Canada at the behest of Pakistan's ISI
May 19: Tara's interrogation reveals LeT training and assisting Khalistani terrorists in Pakistan
May 30: Tara reveals that while he was based in Pakistan, he had sent to India weapons and explosives to kill Shiv Sena leaders in Gurdaspur
Jun 2: Two Pakistani smugglers arrested in Amritsar with a German-made revolver and Rs 6,50,000; interrogation reveal the two worked for a Lahore-based smuggler
June 8: Intelligence reports say a group of 22 Sikh youths recently found raising pro-Khalistan slogans outside the Golden Temple recruited to spread violence in India; ISI trying to revive Punjab militancy by encouraging Ranjit Singh Meeta-headed Khalistan Zindabad Force, Tara-led Khalistan Tiger Force, Wadhawa Singh-led Babbar Khalsa International and Harminder Singh Minto-led Khalistan Liberation Force to launch terror strikes in Punjab
Punjab Police personnel, along with army jawans, gunned down all the three terrorists in a marathon operation that lasted for more than 10 hours.
Officials in the home ministry said special focus was being given in the national capital after rumours of firing in the close proximity of Parliament sent alarm bells ringing in the security establishment. Parliament had witnessed a terror attack in December 2001.
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The Delhi Police deployed its commandos and personnel at crowded marketplaces, malls, cinemas, defence establishments and India Gate. Quick reaction teams (QRTs) have been instructed to increase patrolling around the airport, markets and railway stations. Police are giving special attention to vehicles with Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir registration numbers entering the national capital.
The Railway Protection Force, too, has been asked to stay alert after reports of location of crude bombs on the tracks. Though no terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility yet, the slain militants were suspected to be from Pakistan-based terror outfit Laskhar-e-Toiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad. The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army deployed along the international border and the line of control have been asked to keep a strict check on infiltration bids. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), deployed at airports, Metros and sensitive installations, has been asked to increase vigil.
On Monday evening, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor A K Doval and chiefs of the intelligence agencies and the BSF met to review the internal security situation and border infiltration bids from Pakistan. Security agencies fear that the slain militants had infiltrated to target the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, but altered their plans because of the tight security. A clear picture will emerge only after the home minister speaks in Parliament on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed about the review meeting.
Police deployment in streets and public places has been increased in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru, among others. While Assam has sounded a red alert, the Uttar Pradesh home secretary has issued instructions to all police officers and district magistrates to ramp up security and mobilise local intelligence units.
PUNJAB: RESURGENCE OF TERRORISM?
Jan 5,'15: Thailand authorities arrest Babbar Khalsa militant Jagtar Singh Tara, convicted for his involvement in a bomb attack in 1995 that killed former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and at least 15 others
Jan 17: Tara extradited from Thailand
Feb 5: Tara's interrogation revealed his handler was a Lahore-based Lieutenant Colonel-rank army officer of the ISI who moved Tara from Pakistan to Thailand in 2014 to "develop sleeper cells in India"; a camp was held in July 2014 in Mea Sot (a town in Thailand bordering Myanmar) where "five UK-based Khalistan terrorists" were trained, including two wanted by Punjab Police in the August 2009 killing of Rulda Singh, head of RSS wing Rashtriya Sikh Sangat
Apr 12: Shiv Sena state secretary Harvinder Soni shot at in Gurdaspur
Apr 23: Indian agencies raise concerns with their Canadian counterparts about anti-India activities of some pro-Khalistan extremist groups and individuals operating in Canada at the behest of Pakistan's ISI
May 19: Tara's interrogation reveals LeT training and assisting Khalistani terrorists in Pakistan
May 30: Tara reveals that while he was based in Pakistan, he had sent to India weapons and explosives to kill Shiv Sena leaders in Gurdaspur
Jun 2: Two Pakistani smugglers arrested in Amritsar with a German-made revolver and Rs 6,50,000; interrogation reveal the two worked for a Lahore-based smuggler
June 8: Intelligence reports say a group of 22 Sikh youths recently found raising pro-Khalistan slogans outside the Golden Temple recruited to spread violence in India; ISI trying to revive Punjab militancy by encouraging Ranjit Singh Meeta-headed Khalistan Zindabad Force, Tara-led Khalistan Tiger Force, Wadhawa Singh-led Babbar Khalsa International and Harminder Singh Minto-led Khalistan Liberation Force to launch terror strikes in Punjab