Karachi attack forces Mumbai cops to do security audit of most visited places

The dual attack by terrorists on Karachi International Airport has forced the Mumbai Police to review their security apparatus at places witnessing high footfall and at vital installations. The police, in a review carried out in March this year, had identified around 600 spots in the city where maximum damage can be caused in a terrorist attack.

On Sunday night, Tehreek-e-Taliban had launched a deadly attack on Karachi airport, killing at least 35. The terrorists had posed as security force personnel and launched an attack using grenades and rocket launchers.

Following this, Mumbai Police sources said central intelligence agency sounded an alert across the state, suggesting them to step up security at vital installations and places witnessing high footfall. The alert had a "specific" mention of Karachi attack, sources added.

"An alert has been sounded at airports, railway stations and places that figure in past intelligence inputs. We have initiated fresh audits and a review of security. We are conducting meetings with those responsible for security at important places and doing a general hardening of target," said additional director general of police, state Anti-Terrorism Squad, Himanshu Roy.

Some of the places that have high footfall are Siddhivinayak temple, Mumba Devi temple, Zaveri Bazaar, Gateway of India, malls, multiplexes, stock exchange and ports.

"These places have figured in previous attacks or reconnaissance conducted by terrorists. All possible measures will be taken to ensure there is intensified monitoring of movements of suspected persons at these places. We also take measures such as checking lodges, restaurants and getting information about stolen vehicles and SIM cards procured through bogus documents as it has been seen in the past that terrorists conceal their identity and stay in the city to conduct recce," said a senior police officer.

"In the audit, we will identify the loopholes, whether redeployment of men is required, whether there is any laxity in checks, functioning of CCTV cameras, etc," said joint commissioner of police, law and order, Dhananjay Kamlakar.

"We regularly carry out Sagar Kavach and Mumbai Kavach operations in the city to check our preparedness of coastal security and other places in the city. In Mumbai Kavach alone, over 100 manned and unmanned points are covered," said additional commissioner of police, protection and security, Kiran Shelar.