With intelligence input suggesting terror threat to country’s second tallest reservoir Bhakra Dam built on river Sutlej, Himachal Pradesh police have enhanced security cover for the dam and have asked for stricter vigil, round-the-clock.
The dam which was described as ‘New Temple of Resurgent India’ by country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963 has around 9.34 billion cubic metre of water, enough to drain the whole of Chandigarh, parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. Intelligence reports have suggested that some old terror groups of Punjab have started re-organising themselves and are in lookout to do some major strikes in order to consolidate their base. Sources said among the probable targets of major strike include Bhakra Dam.
Himachal police have increased the strength of personnel deployed at the Dam site from 80 to nearly 150 and alert has been issued to maintain 24x7 vigil around the dam. Heightened frisking has been ordered on the visitors and vehicles coming to the Dam. DGP Sanjay Kumar confirmed that security had been enhanced at the Dam due to some terror threat intelligence inputs. “It is a sensitive location and any damage to the Dam could lead to massive disaster to the neighbhouring States,” said Kumar.
A senior police officer of HP is also reviewing the security situation on daily basis and coordination has been established with Punjab police to thwart any threat. The length of Bhakra Dam is 518.25 metre and is 9.1 metre broad.