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Security forces put on high alert

Intelligence reports on possible strike by militants in the border State and Chandigarh

Amritsar: Security forces in Punjab have been put on high alert following intelligence inputs about the possible strike by militants in the border State and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Informing this here on Tuesday, IGP (Jalandhar zone) Hardip Singh Dhillon told UNI that preventive steps had been put in place following the threat. He said security would be further tightened, particularly in the major cities and towns of the State, during the New Year celebrations.

Giving details, he said night patrolling had been launched throughout the State to curb the movement of anti-social and terrorist elements after dusk.

He said night checking of vehicles had been stepped up along the major highways and in the cities and towns. Mobile and foot patrolling had also been stepped up.

The IGP said police officers had been instructed to educate the public not to touch any unclaimed object and to inform the police immediately. He said the State police was coordinating with the railway police on beefing up security in trains and at railway stations.

The district police chiefs have been asked to update the list of persons with terrorist background and to keep a watch on their movements. Those on parole are also being watched by the police, he added.

Mr Dhillon said though the chances of a terrorist strike were remote in Punjab, precautionary measures had to be taken following the intelligence reports.

Asked about the terrorist groups that could strike in Punjab the IGP said Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and the Khalistan Zindabad Force led by Ranjit Singh Neeta were only the outfits that still had the fire power to carry out subversive activities.

However, strikes by Kashmiri outfits could not be ruled out considering the proximity of Punjab with J&K and the nexus that the Punjab and Kashmiri militants had in the past, he added. -- UNI

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Security forces put on high alert

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