‘High alert’ was sounded and security was beefed up in at least seven states in the wake of the Indian Air Force’s air strikes targeting Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps in Pakistan.
Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Rajasthan are among the areas where security has been tightened.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday, 26 February, chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in the state and issued orders to step up vigil at public places and important sites like the Somnath temple and the Statue of Unity, reported PTI.
Defence forces and the Gujarat Police are coordinating security arrangements, the chief minister had said.
“The Army, IAF, BSF, Coast Guard, local police and all security establishments are coordinating things. They are on vigil and all arrangements have been made.”Vijay Rupani, Gujarat Chief Minister
Top bureaucrats, police and intelligence officials attended the security meeting chaired by the chief minister.
Punjab: Six Border Districts on High Alert
Punjab has put its six border districts on high alert after the IAF strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Pakistan, officials said, according to PTI.
As part of the state's preparedness to deal with any contingency in view of the IAF strike, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh chaired a high-level law and order review meeting and ordered a spate of measures.
Six districts – Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka – were put on high alert on Tuesday, 26 February, the spokesperson said. Officials said the deputy commissioners and the police chiefs of the border districts have been asked to put in place all contingency plans to ensure the protection and safety of citizens.
Security Stepped Up in Mumbai, Delhi
Mumbai was put on high alert following the air strikes, a police official said.
"The Western Naval Command remains alert 24X7. Now, it is fully prepared to deal with any untoward situation in the wake of the air strikes in Pakistan," he said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has also stepped up security in border areas. Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik held a meeting on Tuesday and instructed all police officers to be vigilant in their respective districts, according to The Hindu.
Patrolling has been increased and police have been working in coordination with both Uttar Pradesh and Haryana police to share any information. All major places in Delhi, including the India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and railway stations, have been put on high alert, the newspaper said.
“We request citizens to immediately contact us if they notice any suspicious activity,” The Hindu quoted an official as saying.
Precautionary Measures Taken in Bengaluru, Hyderabad
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday, 27 February, said police and intelligence departments have been directed to be on high alert amid escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, reported PTI.
The chief minister said directions have been given to officials to take all precautionary measures.
“In the wake of the unfortunate killing of our soldiers since yesterday, the defence department has taken some retaliatory measures. At a time when the situation depicts conflict between two countries, all state governments need to be alert.”HD Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Chief Minister
The Cyberabad police in Hyderabad has also beefed up security in parts of the city on Wednesday, 27 February, reported The News Minute.
Assuring people that all precautions were being taken, Cyberabad Commissioner VC Sajjanar said, patrolling was intensified and special police pickets were posted in sensitive areas.
Informing the people of the precautionary steps taken, Sajjanar said, “Our force is fully geared. There is no need to panic. Please alert everyone not to believe rumours. Your safety is our concern.”
Security has been stepped up and high alert has been issued in Rajasthan, according to the The Times of India.
(With inputs from PTI, The Hindu and The Times of India)
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