Security has been beefed up in Delhi after a terror threat alert was sounded that Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was planning to target over 400 sensitive buildings and markets in the national capital ahead of Diwali.
A Delhi Police official told IANS, “Rohini, North-East, North-West, North, East, Central, New Delhi and Dwarka — eight of the 15 districts in Delhi are considered sensitive.” These districts have the highest number of sensitive buildings. New Delhi alone has 200 buildings identified as sensitive and in total, there are 425 buildings that have been identified as sensitive.
In addition to buildings like the Prime Minister’s Office, Sena Bhavan, Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi district that is always deemed sensitive, now markets like Connaught Palace and Khan market have been added to the list. The Jama Masjid in Central Delhi district, Delhi Police Headquarters, Rouse Avenue Court, Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Anand Vihar are some other places that the terrorists could target.
New Delhi District Deputy Commissioner of Police Eish Singhal told IANS with regards to the terror threat, “We do not have any intelligence input of any kind of threat, but we have enhanced security in the city ahead of Diwali.”
Security has also been tightened at police stations after Delhi Police was tipped off by central intelligence agencies that Delhi police stations and police colonies may be targeted via suicide or direct attacks by terrorists. According to these inputs, terrorists may use explosive-laden vehicles or enter the police stations on foot.
