Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Orissa and three other states have been put on a ‘high’ alert after the central Intelligence Bureau (IB) alerted the state government which, in turn, asked the director general of police (DGP), the state intelligence wing and SPs to be on the guard and avert any such eventuality.
“We have information with us that Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are under terror threat. Director general of police and director of intelligence have been alerted on this issue. We have taken all precautionary measures,” said home department special secretary Lalit Das.
The IB warned about a possible terror attack, saying Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) have dispatched four groups to India for carrying out attacks in certain areas. These terrorists have already infiltrated into Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. IB had even gathered inputs that the terror groups are likely to stage attacks before January 28.
DGP Sanjeev Marik said, “A high alert has been sounded across the state. All the SPs have been asked to be on high alert.” Das said, “The SPs have been asked to strengthen security in public places, places of vital installations and places where congregations are held.”
With Orissa having over a 420km stretch of costline, Das said, “Currently, 18 marine police stations are functional in the state and all have been kept on high-alert to ensure coastal security.”
Security has been tightened across the state ahead of the Republic Day celebrations January 26, the home department special secretary said. He said that, ahead of January 26 and the Nabakalebar in July, the state government has taken special security measures to deal any such eventuality. An extra vigil is being mounted on Biju Patnaik International Airport and Bhubaneswar Railway Station.
The state had faced a similar situation last year when reports came that two dreaded Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists visited Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri. The state police and state intelligence didn’t have any clue. The IM operatives reportedly stayed for over two weeks in Puri and Cuttack before the Delhi Police arrested them in March. The reports appeared after their arrests in Delhi.
A few days back, a Pakistani currency note was found from Nimapada area. The special home secretary said the government and the intelligence wing of the police were keeping track.
