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Cops Have Been Receiving Intel Reports For A Month Regarding Possible Attacks. The city has been put on high alert with increased security to thwart possible bomb attacks by a militant group during the festival season, a senior police officer said.
On Sunday, the city police forced businesses to shut down in some areas in the backdrop of intelligence inputs suggesting possible terror attacks on July 21. Well-placed sources said the police department has been asked to remain on highest possible alert keeping in view an existing threat perception for the next few weeks.
“We have been receiving intelligence reports over the past one month along with the abbreviation of an agency that could possibly carry out terror attacks at key locations on July 21, particularly at religious places in three cities,” said a senior police officer. “Hyderabad is one of the cities mentioned. So we are not taking any chances and people will have to bear with increased security and checking,” he added.
Over the years, Hyderabad has witnessed a string of attacks, the latest being the February 21 blast in Dilsukhnagar which claimed 17 lives and wounded over 100 people. After the blasts, central intelligence agencies had warned of several waves of terror attacks in the city, prompting the authorities to step up security. In the last few days, police have been conducting surprise raids at internet cafes, lodges and have been randomly frisking motorists. The frequency of patrolling in crowded areas has also been increased and anti-sabotage units are kept on high alert.
Despite being a holiday on Sunday, police presence was strongly felt in many parts of the city. Traders from Begum Bazaar told INN that cops did not allow them to open their shops in the morning. Begum Bazaar is one of the areas where cops perceive high risk, a senior official said. Shops in the busy market area were opened late in the day while cops continued to frequently patrol the streets to prevent any untoward incidents. In areas like Habsiguda, Secunderabad, police have set up pickets to stop motorists and frisk them. South Zone police officials also said they had increased vigil in crowded areas, particularly around Charminar.
In the North Zone, cops used UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s visit as a ruse to check two wheelers in Secunderabad. When asked if any security alert was sounded, the men on duty denied it, adding that the increased security was due to Yadav’s visit to Nagole.
