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    US alerts India of possible terror attack by Lashkar-e-Taiba, capital on high-alert

    Synopsis

    Delhi Police sealed off the VVIP enclosure & the main stage since earlier this month where Obama, PM Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee will be seated.

    ET Bureau
    NEW DELHI: It was the United States which alerted India of an impending major terror strike in Delhi by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, triggering a comprehensive security review of the national capital by the Delhi Police and Intelligence Bureau.

    "The alert came directly from US intelligence agencies…it was not a pin-pointed information and did not specify any place or time of attack but the input said there was clear intelligence with the US of a big terror strike somewhere in Delhi by LeT," a senior Home Ministry official told ET.

    The government has decided to take no chances as the said tip-off from the US came shortly after the visit of US President Barack Obama to India was confirmed for being the chief guest at the Republic Day.

    Sources in the home ministry said that besides taking extra steps to secure Delhi, IB has also begun a "coordination exercise" with neighbouring states like UP and Rajasthan, sensitising them of the terror threat and asking them to be on alert for any terror module in their jurisdictions which may target Delhi. "Many meetings have been held between state authorities and IB since. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi has also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to brief him of the security measures taken for Delhi.

    At Rajpath, where the Republic Day Function is held, Delhi Police and Nagaland Armed Police personnel have sealed off the VVIP enclosure and the main stage since earlier this month where Obama, PM Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee will be seated on January 26.

    The area is out of bounds for public and regular anti-sabotage checks are being carried out there with the help of sniffer dogs and bomb-detection equipment even as CPWD workers are busy erecting the VVIP stage. Entry for all workers is being regulated by special security badges issued by the Delhi Police and metal detectors have been installed for access control. A plan is also being considered to close all government buildings around Rajpath two days in advance rather than one (as is the precedent) before January 26 to ensure more intensive security checking and seal off entire Rajpath from early January.


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