Security was beefed up at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara here on Monday, in the aftermath of the Gurdaspur terrorist attack in Punjab which reportedly claimed the lives of 13 people, including civilians and policemen. Surveillance was stepped -up in and around the main temple complex and bomb disposal as well as dog squads were pressed into service. Frisking and checking were intensified at both the Vaikuntam Queue Complexes the points which pilgrims pass through before entering the sanctum sanctorum. Bags of the visiting pilgrims were thoroughly screened at the Alipiri security point at Tirupati as well as at the GNC toll gate at Tirumala. Apart from this, patrolling has also been stepped up along the footpaths leading to the temple.
