Jama Masjid firing: Security agencies in Kolkata put on alert

The security has been beefed up in Kolkata following the firing incident near the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi today.

Joint commissioner of police (headquarters) Jawed Shamim told reporters after a high-level meeting in Kolkata that though there was no specific threat, all divisional deputy commissioners and concerned officers had been instructed to increase vigil in crowded places.

"Security will be reviewed at shopping malls, market places, hotels, restaurants and guest houses. All entry and exit points of the city are put on alert and special checking will be conducted in the places where footfall is high," Shamim said.

He said that special attention would be given to the places in the city where the presence of foreign tourists is high, like religious places and places of interest.

"Keeping in view the scheduled September 24 verdict on the Ayodhya title suit, security would be strengthened in areas dominated by minorities," Shamim said.

Two men on a motorcycle fired several rounds on a tourist vehicle near the historic Jama Masjid in the walled city, injuring two Taiwanese nationals.

The two bikers reportedly fired 7-8 rounds on the stationary vehicle adjacent to Gate No 3 of the mosque and 100m away from the house of Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari at around 11.10am.