Security beefed up after intel alert

JAIPUR/JAISALMER: Security has been beefed up at all sensitive places in Rajasthan after the Intelligence Bureau (IB) issued a fresh alert over the possibility of a terror strike in January. The alert is specific to four states including Rajasthan. Following the alert, the police have beefed up security at Jaipur Literature Festival and made elaborate arrangements for Republic Day celebrations on January 26 in the state.
As per the Intelligence Bureau alert, Pakistan-based terror outfits Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) have dispatched four groups to India for carrying out terror attacks. The terrorists have already infiltrated into four states including Rajasthan.
Sources said that as soon as the alert was received on Thursday, the entire Diggi Palace where the Jaipur Literature Festival is being organized was put under thick security cover. Three-layered security has been put in place and every visitor is being scanned at three different points during entry. However, efforts are being made to make it hassle-free as free roaming is the USP of this event, said the officer.
The officer added that not only armed policemen, but trained security personnel in plainclothes have also been deployed. Security has also been stepped at SMS Stadium where Republic Day celebrations will be held. Policemen have also been deployed in the Walled City's crowded markets.
The state was already on high alert after it came up that six SIMI cadres, including five who escaped from Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa jail in October last year were planning some terror strike. The alert warned of possible strikes by the SIMI module - comprising the five escaped Aijajuddeen, Aslam, Amjad Khan, Zakir Hussain and Mehboob Guddu, besides Salik alias Sallu who joined the group recently - after it was learnt that it was in touch with Pakistan-based elements "who had tasked it to undertake terrorist acts in India". Three of the six SIMI cadres, including five who escaped from Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa jail in October last year, had stayed in a rented accommodation in Alwar city for two-and-a-half months.
The patrolling has been intensified in border areas also. Confirming about increasing vigilance at the borders, Punjab frontier IG Anil Paliwal said that at the international borders adjoining Punjab, a strict vigilance is being kept. He said that during night curfew is being imposed and directions have been given to shoot-at-sight on those violating the curfew.
On the other hand, Rajasthan frontier DIG Ravi Gandhi said that taking advantage of tough geographical conditions, fog and mist, terrorist could intrude into Indian border and looking to this, BSF at the entire border is on high vigilance. at the sensitive places, additional troops have been deployed and activities like patrolling, footprint checking etc have been increased under border operations.