Haridwar 'IS agents' did trials to blow up rail track

DEHRADUN: The arrest of four suspected IS members from Roorkee has brought to the fore a plan by the terror quartet to either blow up a rail track or hold explosions in a train on one of the 10 major bathing days of the ongoing four-month-long Ardh Kumbh. With the next major bathing day due on February 8 (Somwati Amawasya), the security in Haridwar has been increased manifold.Prior to their arrest, the quartet had reportedly conducted trial explosions as a "part of their preparations". Keeping this in mind, intelligence officials held a meeting with Ardh Kumbh senior security team members to review the arrangements and made the required suggestion.
Sources said the four had planned to blow up a rail track on January 14 (Makar Sankranti - the first major bathing day of the grand religious event), but the plan could not materialize due to some reason. There are 10 major bathing days during the Ardh Kumbh, with the first on the occasion of Makar Sankranti (January 14) and last on April 22 (Buddh Purnima). The next three major bathing days are scheduled for February 8 (Somwati Amawasya), February 12 (Basant Panchami) and Maha Shivratri (March 7).
Top officers further pointed out that the possibility of a terror attack was high on February 8, the next major bathing day.
ADG, intelligence, Ashok Kumar, who reviewed security preparations for the major bathing days, said, "The security staff should not focus only on the Ardh Kumbh area but also keep a close watch on adjoining belts." Kumar said there was need to improve the network of informers.
On January 19, the four IS activists - Aklhaq-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Osama, Mohammad Meraj and Mohammad Azim - were arrested from Roorkee, which is in Haridwar district.
Since the arrest, no one has been allowed to enter Har-ki-Pauri - the core area of Ardh Kumbh - without passing through metal detectors at the entrance. In view of the stepped-up security arrangements, the duty hours of policemen have been raised from eight to 12.
"The duty hours fluctuate as per the schedule. We have increased the duty hours as the security has been further intensified," IG, Ardh Kumbh, Ganesh Singh Martolia told TOI on Saturday. He pointed out that on normal days, around 4,000 to 6,000 police and para-military personnel look after the security at the Kumbh. The number went up to 8,000 for the first major bathing day on January 14.
After the arrest, the number of police and para-military personnel for February 8 is expected to be in the range of 9,000 to 11,000. "Besides arrival of more Uttarakhand police personnel, 12 companies of Uttar Pradesh PAC are expected to reach Haridwar on January 28," said the senior police officer.