Sonia's security tightened on terror alert : Video

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The security for UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has been tightened in view of fresh inputs from central security agencies that Pakistan-based militant groups were planning to carry out a suicide attack on her.

An advisory issued by intelligence agencies suggested that the terrorist groups had earmarked Sajjad, a Pakistani national heading the anti-India operations of the United Jehad Council, for masterminding the attack on Gandhi, informed sources said.

The security establishment has shared the information with all neighbouring states, particularly Uttar Pradesh where the stakes for the Congress are high ahead of assembly polls there, and asked concerned authorities to be vigilant and strengthen security arrangements.

Acting swiftly on the advisory, Delhi Police decided to stop traffic for a brief while whenever Gandhi's carcade is on the move, the sources said.

Gandhi, who is protected by the elite Special Protection Group, has been on the hit-list of several terrorist groups, including the Lashker-e-Taiba and fringe groups of the Al Qaeda, for quite some time now.

She has declined an offer to upgrade her security to the level of the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary V K Duggal today reviewed the security for VIPs including Gandhi. After the meeting, a home ministry spokesman sought to clarify that the ministry carried out periodic assessments of threats to all VVIPs and the latest exercise was undertaken in view of upcoming festivals, the Republic Day function and the assembly elections in four states.