Delhi Police is on a high alert and has tightened the security of vital institutions in the national capital, including the Tihar Central Jail, in the aftermath of terror strikes in Peshawar and Sydney.
Reports on Friday said that the authorities have beefed up the security of Tihar Jail following intelligence inputs that the high profile prison may be targeted by terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) to free terrorists lodged there.
The security of this high-profile prison, which already has a three-layer security apparatus, has been enhanced further after the inputs. Delhi Police has also heightened vigil on all important transit routes following a recent Home Ministry advisory alerting about a possible LeT strike in the city.
“Following the high alert in the capital, the security of the jail has been increased by several notches. No risk will be taken as far as the security of the inmates and the prison is concerned,” Mukesh Prasad, DIG, Tihar Jail said.
“Tihar houses many hardcore terrorists and other high-profile inmates, their security remains our priority,” he added.
There are reports that LeT may execute a fidayeen attack to release several hardcore Pakistani terrorist lodged in the jail. “Security has been enhanced and tight vigil is being kept on every movement within and outside the jail,” a Tihar Jail source said.
Tihar Jail currently houses many terrorists and politicians. Ex-Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala and Sahara chief Subrata Roy are amongst other high-profile personalities currently lodged in the high-security prison.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi assured that the city is safe and his force is on a high alert to thwart any possible eventuality.
“Delhi Police always keeps the surrounding environment in mind and we are totally alert and necessary steps are being taken,” said Bassi. Asked about the specific instructions given to school authorities in this regard, Bassi said that necessary instructions to whoever concerned have been given.
Bassi also cautioned people against being swayed by rumours.
Sources said that the police chief along with other senior Delhi Police officials attended a meeting at Home Ministry in the afternoon where they briefed ministry officials about security arrangements at important installations in the city including schools, 5 star hotels, malls, cafes among others.
Delhi Police has already issued a set of guidelines to schools and colleges and SHOs yesterday visited education institutes in their jurisdiction areas and met authorities to discuss security measures.
In the guidelines issued to the educational institutions, they were asked to keep their gates shut when they have students inside, deploy guards and allow entry to people only after proper verification. PCR vans have been positioned close to prominent schools and colleges in the city and beat constables will also patrol the area.
“It was a cafe in Sydney and a school in Peshawar. Terrorists may target anything at any place. We are not taking chances and security has been tightened at all important installations like schools, colleges, embassies, metro stations, 5 star hotels, crowded markets in south and central Delhi, airport, malls, cafes among others,” a senior Delhi Police official also said.
The Home Ministry had on Tuesday issued an alert to states, including Delhi, in the run up to the visit of US President Barack Obama and the January 26, 2015 Republic Day celebrations.
