Gujarat forms special police groups after 7/11

GANDHINAGAR: In the wake of last week's Mumbai terror blasts, the Gujarat police have formed Special Operation Groups at district levels to cope with any possible terrorist threat, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"We have been keeping a close vigil on the people who could have links with terror groups," said J Mahapatra, additional director general of police and state intelligence chief.

Three senior officials have also been deputed to strengthen the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the state police.

Mahapatra said that militants have of late been operating through sleeper cells.

"They come and settle down as common citizens in cities, start living a normal life and don't get into action until they get instructions from their top brass," he said.

Meanwhile, police have been keeping a close watch on those associated with the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Those who had left the organisation before it was banned have also been made to provide details about their families and activities.

While many people earlier associated with SIMI were detained and questioned, no arrests were made in this regard so far, police said.