Tamil Nadu has been put on high alert following a midnight intelligence warning of six Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists entering the state. The western districts, particularly Coimbatore and Tiruppur, have been put on high alert. A red alert has been issued to the coastal districts in South Tamil Nadu. Search operations are carried out at public places and several check points have been set up to search vehicles and look for suspects.
Tamil Nadu home department sounded the alert after they were tipped off by intelligence agencies that six terrorists have probably entered the state from neighbouring Sri Lanka for possible attacks in Tamil Nadu or Kerala. "Security has been beefed up across the state," said DGP L.K. Tripathy.
According to the intelligence report, portions of which was leaked to the media, "One Pakistani and five Sri Lankan Tamil Muslims said to be disguised as Hindus may carry out terrorist initiated incidents in near future in the state. Targets of this terror group invariably include places of religious importance, tourist locations witnessing high footfalls of foreigners, crowded public places and important leaders of political and social organisations. They will also try to attack vital installations, including security installations, foreign embassies/consulates and state and central government establishments in the state. They may also target the Hindu leaders and places of worship."
The security has been beefed up across the state, while coastal districts and western districts have been brought under tight security. Heavy police personnel have been deployed in public places like shopping malls, temples, railway stations and bus stands. People are subject to frisking and searches in all public places.
"Following the intelligence information we have set up check-points and check-posts in and around Coimbatore. The search operations are carried out in Coimbatore in shopping malls, theaters and other public places. We have deployed 2,000 police personnel and 10 QR special teams to carry out search operations. We have not released photographs of the suspected terrorists or the numbers of vehicles used by them," said Sumith Saran, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore. Saran also asked the people of Coimbatore not to panic.
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In the meantime, in Cuddalore, 33 persons involved in various cases have been taken into custody by the police last night, following the intelligence alert. At Velankanni, the shrine of Basilica has also been brought under tight security. Three Vajra vehicles and a contingent of police personnel have been deployed. The Velankanni festival is set to begin on August 29.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani terrorist has been identified as Iliyas Anwar. Sources say that the intelligence officials suspect that one of the six terrorists could have possibly fled to Kerala.
Last week, Karnataka capital Bengaluru was put on high alert following information on possible attacks after the scrapping of Article 370 and in possible retaliation to the Kashmir issue.
It may be recalled that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had last month conducted search operations at several places in Coimbatore who had connections with the ISIS and around 14 people were taken into custody.
