Cops and intelligence agencies step up drive to ward off terror attack during World Cup; agencies say 29 dreaded terrorists have sneaked in from across the border
Cops and intelligence agencies step up drive to ward off terror attack during World Cup; agencies say 29 dreaded terrorists have sneaked in from across the border
A fresh manhunt for 29 dreaded Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists, who reportedly sneaked into the country over the past few weeks, has been launched to ward off any terror attacks during the World Cup matches in Mumbai and other parts of the country.
According to sources, the suspects have been keeping tabs on all the venues where the matches are scheduled.u00a0
While some of the 29 IM operatives are already on the wanted list of the police and intelligence agencies, others are fresh recruits.
The IM terrorists, who are trained in use of explosives and sophisticated firearms, are apparently waiting for the opportune time to strike and take the agencies by surprise.
"We are always on the look out for IM operatives, particularly during the World Cup matches," said Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Himanshu Roy.
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But he refused to divulge more details about the operation as it may hamper the drive.
The Mumbai police have already made arrangements to ward off the possibility of a Lahore-style attack on international cricketers during the matches.
Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) Rajnish Seth said, "Adequate security will be provided to team hotels and match venues.
We have drawn a plan to guard the routes through which the convoy carrying cricketers would be passing. Armed policemen would be deployed at all sensitive junctions."
Special units such as beat marshals, commandos and quick response teams will be deployed to foil any attack.
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The local police station through which the convoy is passing will be on alert on the days the matches are scheduled. The new security arrangements include a cordon of armed commandos around the team hotels.
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The dressing and changing rooms will be part of the inner security ring deployed to protect the players, said Seth.
Nakabandis have been intensified over the past few days. The police are conducting combing operations along the coastal stretches of the city, he added.
Crime branch units, on the other hand, have been asked to run checks on hotel rooms to nab hardcore criminals.
The khabri (informers) network has been strengthened to look out for terrorists and suspicious movements.
Lankans Attacked
On March 3, 2009, armed terrorists opened fire at a convoy escorting Sri Lankan players to the Gaddafi stadium during a Test match. Some players were injured in the gunfire.
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