The BSF has ramped up security along the International Border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir, deploying 12 additional companies (1,200 personnel) to thwart any infiltration bids by Pakistan-based terror groups in view of US President Barack Obama’s visit to India for participation in the Republic Day celebrations here.
In the recent weeks, the paramilitary has recorded a surge in infiltration bids along the IB in Jammu & Kashmir and some recent intercepts indicate that Pakistan-based terror group lashkar-e-Taiba is planning to orchestrate an attack in the State if they manage to sneak in.
“The security at the IB has been stepped up in the wake of US President Barack Obama’s visit to the country next week. As many as 12 BSF companies have been deployed to reinforce the existing deployments,” the sources said.
One operational BSF company comprises 100 personnel in strength. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said whenever a Head of State visits the country, security is stepped up. “This is part of the standard protocol,” the Minister added. Infiltration attempts from across the border are occurring on a daily basis and dense fog and winter chill is posing a major challenge to the security forces deployed in this area.
Some intercepts a few days back indicated that leT is planning some major strike in the country leading to the additional deployment and heightened surveillance along this border. The additional troops are part of the special combat teams of the BSF which are placed at strategic locations to keep a check on any illegal crossings during the day or night.
Elaborate security arrangements are being made in the national Capital and other places also across the country in the backdrop of the US President’s visit, who will be the chief guest during the Republic Day parade here on January 26. This is the first time that a US President will attend the function as chief guest. Obama is also the first US President to be visiting the country twice during his stint as head of State of that country.
A seven-layer security ring will be put in place around the VVIP enclosure at Rajpath for the parade to be witnessed by the US President, his entourage and other dignitaries.
UK warns India of possible attack by ISIS
Britain has warned India about possible attack by ISIS and said all efforts must be taken to check activities of the Middle-East terrorist group. British officials have conveyed this to their Indian counterparts at the Indo-UK Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group meeting held in london on January 15-16.
Officials said that during the meeting, India had asked Britain to impress upon Pakistan not to differentiate between “good” and “bad” terrorists in the wake of recent attack on a school in Peshawar and said that it must take a firm stand on why Pakistan had become a nursery of terrorists.
“We have asked Britain to be alert about possible attack by lashkar-e-Taiba there. Britain in turn has warned us that an attack by ISIS could take place in India,” an official said. Britain was more focused on the ISIS threat than from Pakistan-based terror groups.