Terror threat to Pak ICP, security beefed up in Attari

BSF, police step up vigil at Indian ICP, retreat ceremony venue after Tehreek-e-Taliban warning. Aseem Bassi reports.

Security was beefed up at the Attari border after a reported threat to the Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the Pakistan side from Tehreek-e-Taliban, a terrorist organisation.

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The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Amritsar (rural) police have intensified vigil at the Indian ICP and the place where the retreat ceremony is held.

Talking to HT, Amritsar (rural) SSP Preetpal Singh Virk said, “We have received information that Pakistan-based terror organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban has threatened to attack the ICP in Pakistan. We have also beefed up security in areas not manned by the BSF by deploying additional force. We have stationed a fire brigade, a quick reaction team and an ambulance to deal with any untoward incident. There are some groups which do not want the trade between the two countries to flourish.”

The SSP said though the retreat ceremony area was under BSF troops, the police had always been providing them back-up support.

BSF IG (Punjab frontier) Aditya Mishra said the information was yet to be verified, but they could not afford to take a chance.

The threat was reportedly issued a couple of days ago. Pakistan has also intensified security on its side of the border.