After the terror strike on the Amarnath pilgrims on Monday evening, killing seven people, high alert has been sounded in Haridwar district in view of the Kanwad pilgrimage that started on July 9. It is learnt that a meeting was convened at the control room near Har Ki Paidi on Tuesday during which the senior police officers took stock of the security and other measures taken to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage.
While extra police force has been deputed at Har Ki Paidi, Subhash Ghat, railway station, bus stands and some other sensitive locations Haridwar police are now launching an intense checking drive. Besides, the number of anti-terrorist squad team has been increased.
Police said that while the anti- terrorist squads (ATS) are checking the suspicious articles the anti-bomb squad and dog squad are also thoroughly checking the public places to stave off any terror attack. It is also learnt that the 15- member ATS team, equipped with self-start firearms, has been deployed along the Kanwad Patri Marg and other sensitive locations in the district. From Piran Kaliyar to Roorkee to the Narsen entry point, the entire stretch is being kept under scanner, police said.
Notably, during Ardh Kumbh Mela 2016, four ISI suspects had been nabbed by the police from Roorkee area following which the mela zone had been declared sensitive.
SSP Krishna Kumar V K said after the meeting was over on Tuesday that they have taken every possible step to ensure a trouble-free Kanwad pilgrimage.
“While intense checking drive is going on at the public places drone cameras have been hired too to be placed at the ultra-sensitive locations. Our teams are inspecting hotels, dhabas, parking lots, bus stands and railway station. We are prepared for any eventuality. let me assure the pilgrims that they are safe here with nothing to fear.”