: In the wake of the Centre’s warning that Odisha is one of four States on the radar of Pakistan-based terrorists, the State government has issued high alert across all districts.
Security around vital defence installations, structures of tourist interest, ports and crowded places has been tightened in view of the terror threat.
“We have received specific intelligence alert that Odisha is the target of terror teams. Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh will also be targeted by terror groups. State Director General of Police and Director of Intelligence are already intimated about the threat,” said Lalit Das, Special Secretary, Department of Home, here on Thursday.
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“All police stations and police outposts will remain on alert to prevent possible attacks. We have 18 functional marine police stations. These stations have also been asked to be vigilant on coastal security,” Mr. Das said. Moreover, instructions had been issued to pay special attention on security of vital installations, he said.
As per reports, Pakistan-based terrorist groups such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) have sent four action teams to four States in India to carry out attacks this month.
As the locations which could be the target of terrorists is not yet known, the State government has stepped up the collection of intelligence inputs to make its preparedness perfect.
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Last year, there were reports of Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists carrying out recce in Odisha. They had visited Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri. However, the State police had no information on these visits. It was only after Central agencies came to Odisha to confirm the presence of militants, did the matter came to the light.
After the threat warning was received, security in Puri, where lakhs of people visit Shri Jagannath Temple, has been beefed up. Additional police personnel in plain clothes have been deployed on the ground. Moreover, CCTV footages are being intensely analysed.
Similarly, Balasore and Bhadrak police were sounded high alert as India’s foremost missile testing facility is situated at Chandipur.
Police deployment at railway stations and crowded bus terminals has been increased.