‘We have enough resources to deal with terrorism’

A terror act anywhere in the country puts Mumbai on high alert. Understandably so. The city has witnessed some of the most ghastly incidents of terrorism in the country over the past two decades. The Jaipur blasts have made it a little wary. Is the city safe from  attacks like those witnessed in 1993 or more recently in July 2007? Mumbai police chief Hasan Gafoor provides some answers

Are there any indications that Mumbai will be targeted?
There is no intelligence input on Mumbai being a target. Mumbai is always on high alert when such incidents (like the Jaipur blasts) happen anywhere in the country. We have beefed up security in the city.

What do you think is lacking in the fight against terrorism?
There is nothing lacking. The anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has got sufficient resources to deal with terrorism. They recently obtained good armoury and equipment, and we are planning to acquire some more this year.

You say that the police are well equipped to combat terror. Can you elaborate?
I would not like to elaborate on how well equipped we are. But our policemen do carry out exercises regularly to test our efficiency.

Is it possible to keep track of sleeper cells of terror outfits in the city?
Central agencies and the Mumbai police do keep track of terrorists. They (terrorist) are not confined to only one area, their operations and networks are spread all over the country. Co-ordination with central agencies helps us keep a track on their movements.
—As told to Somendra Sharma