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Terror strikes Hyderabad

On guard for two months, Mumbai goes on high alert

Mirror Bureau

Posted On Friday, February 22, 2013 at 07:48:21 AM

The deserted roads outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus after high alert was declared


Thursday’s twin blasts in Hyderabad put the Mumbai police on a state of high alert after two months of rumours and warnings from central agencies that terrorists could target the city avenge the hanging of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Qasab.
 
Frisking and checks were stepped up in Mumbai last night and security forces were put on high alert. Mumbai Police Commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh said, “Mumbaikars should not panic and work normally. The police are working hard to ensure their safety. But people should keep their ears and eyes open and report if they notice anything unusual.”
 
Apart from increased checks, bomb detection and disposal squads have been deployed at various sensitive parts of city, while police are keeping a close watch on public places. “Most importantly, people should desist from spreading rumours,” said a police officer. After Qasab's hanging, central agencies had warned two metro police units, Delhi and Mumbai, to be on guard.

“Terrorists find these two metros attractive as any terror activity there invites global attention. No other city in India has this potential,” a source said. Another source told Mirror that Indian Mujahideen terrorists holed up abroad and in India were under tremendous pressure to deliver.
 
With key IM leader Yaseen Bhatkal succeeding in dodging security agencies in the past few months, a terror strike was imminent. But nobody in Mumbai police thought the focus would shift from Mumbai to Hyderabad. The Anti Terrorism Squad had last week released pictures of five top IM functionaries in hiding, who were believed to be hatching a fresh terror plot.

“If I have understood the pyche of the the Bhatkal brothers - Riyaz and Iqbal — well, they must be definitely hunting for an opportunity to strike in Mumbai. They will take advantage of the slightest laxity in security cover,” said a senior IPS officer from Mumbai.







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