Security stepped up in Ahmedabad after terror alert

Security has been stepped up across Ahmedabad following intelligence inputs by the Centre that Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was planning to strike here, police officials said today.

"There are inputs of terror threats, and as a precaution we have declared a high alert in the city and intensified vehicle checking, night petrolling and combing operations in sensitive areas," police commissioner Amitabh Pathak told mediapersons here.

Photographs of three absconding accused in the 2008 serial blasts here - Abdul Subhan alias Tauqeer, Mujib Sheikh and Alamzeb Afridi - have also been released.

The alert has also been issued taking into consideration upcoming events like Christmas, Kankaria Carnival, New Year, Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and kite festival, he said.

"We are expecting a lot of people from other states, and foreign visitors in the next 20-25 days. Therefore, security has been strengthened across the city."

With regard to the release of photographs of the blast accused today, Pathak said, "These people are aware of the topography of Ahmedabad. And, in case, they try to resurface to strike terror taking advantage of the number of events, we would be in a better position to nullify their actions."

Asked if the intelligence inputs, that suggested LeT teams have already entered Ahmedabad, specified details of the trio, he said there was no such inputs from the agencies.

Pathak said he and his top officials were in constant touch with the intelligence agencies and seeking more specific inputs with regard to the terror threat. Asked if additional security forces would be deployed in Gujarat's commercial hub, Pathak said the city police was enough to tackle any terror threat.

"However, in case of emergency we have units of State Reserve Police (SRP) at our disposal which could be called anytime," the police commissioner added.

Pathak requested the people not to panic because of the alert, and be cautious and report to police about any suspicious persons and objects.