Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar on Saturday strongly condemned the pre-dawn terror attack at Pathankot air force base in Punjab and declared a high alert in his State.
The Chief Minister said that the country should unite and rise as one to defeat the nefarious designs of the terrorists.
“Terrorists are the enemies of society and all faiths and should not to allowed to succeed at any cost,” Khattar said.
Director General of Police (DGP), Yashpal Singhal said security agencies of the State were maintaining constant touch with Central Intelligence Agency for the past some time. The security agencies of the State have already been alerted and ordered to be extra vigilant. “The police force of the State is fully prepared to provide foolproof security so as to avert happening of any such incidents,” the DGP said.
He said directions have been issued to top law enforcers like Police Commissioners, Range Inspector General of Police and Superintendents of Police through video conferencing on Saturday to greatly step up the security arrangements particularly in the sensitive areas. To ensure tight security, barricades have been installed at various places in district for monitoring any movement and security check, he added.
Singhal said the police force is fully geared up to conducting peaceful Panchayat general slections in the State. Anti rioting equipments, tear gas equipments, water cannon, vazra and ambulances will be deployed at
suitable places. Flag marches will be arranged before the polling day.
It was emphasised that senior officers shall remain vigilant before polling day, on the day of polling and after the polling till the counting of votes is completed. The police force’s endeavour shall be to remain impartial, fair and polite during the entire election process.
Tight safety measures for the celebrations of ensuing Republic Day also tops the list of priorities for infallible security arrangements in the state and for this purpose, SWAT teams have been constituted at district level, he added
A group of heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists, suspected to belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, struck at the air force base, leading to a fierce gunbattle in which three security personnel were killed along with four attackers.