Amid the lurking terror threat following Intelligence inputs suggesting attacks during Maha Shivratri festival, the Union Home Ministry on Monday extended the alert to Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chandigarh.
Apart from the Somnath and Nageshwar temples in Somnath-Gir district in Gujarat, security agencies remained on their toes to thwart any attack on other religious shrines and strategic installations.
The security agencies have issued alert to include more cities under the ambit of the current alert issued in the wake of the Intelligence reports that 10 lashkar-e-Tayyeba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists had entered Gujarat to carry out a major terror attack.
Notwithstanding the alert, large numbers of devotees thronged Shiv temples across Gujarat, including two of the 12 jyotirlings — Somnath and Nageshwar — and offered prayers during the day.
Security was beefed-up at all the important temples across Gujarat. Temples like Somnath, Dwarka, Nageshwar in Devbhoomi Dwarka, Dakor and others have been converted into fortress. National Security Guard (NSG) took over the security of iconic Somnath temple situated on the western coast of Gujarat. Since Somnath temple in Gir-Somnath district has remained on the target of terrorists, more than 250 policemen along with State Reserve Police were also deployed.
Sources in Gir-Somnath district said that though some of the cultural programmes at the temple were called off but traditional rituals, that are carried out on Maha Shivratri, were performed with the usual fervour. On Monday morning, the traditional Palkhi Yatra was taken out and Maha aarti was attended in evening by thousands of people.
“There has been no untoward incident related to security in the State. Patrolling and search operation across the locations are still being carried out. Security at airports, railway stations and other important places in major cities has already been increased,” the police said.
One of the largest fairs in the county — the annual Maha Shivratri Mela in the mountain town of Junagadh — progressed peacefully, said police, adding that security arrangements have been tightened as already five lakh people throng to the foothill of Gujarat’s tallest mountain Girnar.
In the national Capital, police presence and patrolling around temples which were teeming with devotees, popular markets, iconic buildings and other places like Metro stations, railway stations and bus terminus — which witness very high footfall — have been stepped up, a senior official said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the internal security situation in the country at a high-level meeting in Delhi attended by top security officials, including Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Director of Intelligence Bureau Dineshwar Sharma.
As a multi-city alert remained in place, Singh took stock of the situation and the steps taken to prevent any possible terror attacks.
Four NSG teams were stationed in Gujarat where massive police combing operations and robust security were in place at major temples and other vital installations.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel held a high-level security meeting to review the situation. In spite of reports that terrorists might strike in Delhi or other places, the Gujarat Police decided not to let its guard down till they are 100 per cent sure about the safety of State.
Security was also tightened in Jammu & Kashmir, two days after a top Army commander disclosed that there were “disturbing” inputs about a terror attack in the country and also after the detection of a tunnel along the International Border in Jammu region. In New Delhi, after the review meeting, the Home Minister said that action has been taken following the Intelligence inputs.
“We have received some information and whatever necessary instructions had to be given, have been given,” Rajnath told reporters.