Airports across north India have been placed on high alert and security has been tightened after intel inputs on four Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists having infiltrated into Delhi to “carry out terror attacks” in retaliation to the abrogation of Article 370, during the festival season.
As per intelligence inputs, 3-4 hardcore and “highly-motivated” terrorists are suspected to be present in the national capital. The terrorists are said to be heavily armed.
The deputy commissioners of police (DCP) of all 15 districts have been directed to heighten security at vital installations and ensure maximum mobility of police personnel on streets to avoid any such terror strikes.
DCP Central Delhi MS Randhawa told media on Thursday that the police force is on high alert and is taking all anti-terrorism measures.
Meanwhile, based on the inputs, Delhi Police Special Cell conducted raids at several locations in the city. The sleuths are reportedly carrying out raids at 9 locations which began around 9 pm on Wednesday.
On the other hand, an orange alert has been sounded for Srinagar, Avantipur, Jammu, Pathankot and Hindan airbases bases after the monitoring of the terrorists’ movements by the intelligence agencies, an India Today report stated.
The Indian Air Force bases in and around Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab have been put on alert after inputs warned of a possible Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide attack on Indian troops.
According to an NDTV report, the inputs include a threat letter dated 10 September, received by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. The letter in Hindi is reportedly from one Shamsher Wani of Jaish and claims revenge for the government’s Article 370 decision.
The development comes days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Pakistan’s Balakot, that was bombed by the Indian Air Force in February, had been reactivated recently and about 500 infiltrators were waiting to infiltrate into India.
Earlier in August, following the revocation of Article 370, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was put on high alert.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had earlier said that more than 200 terrorists were trying to cross into India from Pakistan and Islamabad was trying to stoke violence in the region.
Tensions have heightened between India and Pakistan after the Centre’s move to revoke special status to Jammu and Kashmir with Islamabad stating it a “strategic blunder” that will cost New Delhi “heavily”.