New Delhi:
Delhi Police has issued an advisory to its personnel asking them to "maintain heightened security and vigil" in anticipation of a retaliation from Pakistan-based terror groups after the recent surgical strikes by Indian Army.
The advisory, issued by Special Cell, and marked to senior Delhi Police officers, including DCPs of the 11 districts, has asked officers to give special attention for security to "critical infrastructure projects, important institutions, business establishments" and crowded areas.
The advisory further states that there should be visible deployment of policemen in crowded market areas and mass transit points, and frequent movement of police patrolling vehicles and coordination of the local police with the market committees to deter a terror attack.
The advisory has also asked the officers to make proactive efforts to develop ground-level intelligence. It states that activities of "suspicious elements and their associates" need to be closely monitored.
"In order to prevent bomb attacks in crowded places, strict adherence to access control rooms and involvement of organisers of large scale events, malls, cinemas, etc would also be necessary," the advisory said.
It also directs the officials to launch a special campaign to sensitise the public about dangers of picking up unattended objects. There needs to be coordination between local police and local agencies and markets to ensure that CCTVs installed are functional, it added.
The police has been asked to "monitor" and "patrol" places which will witness celebrations like Durga Puja
pandals and
Ramlila venues and high footfall during the festival time like malls, hotels, airport, metro stations, temples, bus stands, railways stations and educational institutions. There has also been a directive to maintain a heightened vigil at check posts on Delhi borders.
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams of Special Cell have also swung into action and have been deployed at vulnerable areas including India Gate and Jhandewalan, a senior police officer said.
Prominent religious places, which witness a huge footfall, are being manned by officers and mock drills are being planned to check preparedness levels of personnel, he added.