NEW DELHI : India was put on high alert today following a series of terror attacks in France in which at least 120 people were killed and police and state governments have been asked to beef up security including at all foreign embassies and consulates.
Official sources said police had been asked to increase vigil and post additional police personnel outside all embassies and high commissions here and consulates in different cities across the country.
Security forces were also asked to keep a tight vigil at airports, railway stations, bus terminus, markets and religious places.
They said the step has been taken taken as a precautionary measure as terrorists of banned Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) and Indian Mujahideen have been conspiring to target foreign missions in India.
Security has been beefed up along all Jewish worship places including synagogues, ‘Chabad Houses’ which is being frequented by Israeli tourists, they said.
LeT has details of various Chabad houses as the Pakistani-American citizen David Headley, at present undergoing 35 year prison term in Chicago, had carried out reconnaissance at these places.
A series of terror attacks in Paris targeting concert-goers, soccer fans and people enjoying a Friday night out at popular nightspots killed at least 120 people.
At least two explosions were heard near the Stade de France national stadium where a France-Germany friendly soccer match was being played, attended by President Francois Hollande.
After the attacks, Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country’s borders.
In Delhi, security was scaled up particularly outside the French embassy besides government buildings and international airport here following an alert by intelligence agencies in the wake of terror strikes in Paris.
Security has been especially tightened in the diplomatic enclave and other crucial locations including the Indira Gandhi International airport, railway stations, metro network and bus terminals in Delhi.
Vigil is being kept around prominent hotels, malls and markets in the city, a senior police official said.
Security is being upgraded in and around crowded markets in the city and office buildings in the Lutyen’s Zone which house offices of several ministries.
In Maharashtra, security was cranked up around major establishments across various cities including Mumbai which has been targeted by terrorists.
“All police units have been asked to review and access control measures at places with heavy footfall,” Director General of Police, Maharashtra, Praveen Dixit said.
“Owners and managers of such places have also been asked to do mock drills to avoid any possible untoward incidents,” Dixit told PTI.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti has said security has been beefed up in Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.
“Though we always remain alert, in wake of the attacks in Paris, security has been beefed up across the city. Officials concerned have been asked to remain more vigilant,” he said.
Security at major railway stations, airports, commercial establishments like shopping malls, theatres has been stepped up, another senior officer of Mumbai Police said. (PTI)
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