High security after bomb threats

The threat to blast seven important places in Faridabad left the police on their toes even as an unprecedented security cover was put in place in the city, reports Prabhu Razdan.

The threat to blast seven important places in Faridabad left the police on their toes on Tuesday even as an unprecedented security cover was put in place in the city.

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Soon after the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s (DCP) office received a threatening letter on Monday, purportedly written on behalf of the Indian Mujahideen, the entire police administration was alerted and contingents of police personnel deployed at all the seven places.

The seven places mentioned in the threatening letter were Escorts Hospital, Badshah Khan Hospital, Old Railway station, Market number one, Vaishnav Devi temple, SRS Shopping mall and Shubam Tower.

According to DCP Bijendra Singh, a postcard inside an envelope addressed to him threatened bomb explosions on October 7.

“We called additional forces as a precautionary measure the moment we came to know about this threatening letter,” SSP Faridabad Srikant Jadhav said.

At some places like Escorts hospitals and malls, both police personnel and private security guards kept a sharp eye on the movement of the people.

At almost all targeted places, the entry of vehicles was strictly restricted.

SSP Jadhav was seen personally taking stock of the security at most of the seven places. There was a curfew-like situation at some of these places.

Though GRP personnel intensified security in Old Railway Station, the Haryana Police took control of all the seven places. Dog squads and bomb disposal squads were pressed into service especially at the Old Railway Station and Vaishnav Devi temple.

The bomb threat cast its shadow at this temple at Tikona Park and there were fewer devotees as compared to normal days.

“We took the threatening letter very seriously and ensured security and safety of these places and also the entire township accordingly,” Jadhav said.