Gujarat on alert after Gurdaspur terror attack

AHMEDABAD: In the wake of a terrorist attack in Gurdaspur district of Punjab today, Gujarat police has been asked to be on alert especially the border district police as the state shares land border with Pakistan.

"In the wake of today's terror attack in Punjab, I have asked the police department and respective heads to remain alert. I have ordered the force to take all necessary steps for the security of people and increase vigil at key public places across the state," Gujarat Director General of Police P C Thakur told PTI.

Thakur said apart from conducting night patrolling and round the clock vigil at various public places and other vital installations, such as airports and railway stations, officials of border areas with Pakistan have been asked to keep a close watch on every movement.

After receiving the alert, security has been beefed up along the Indo-Pakistan border at Kutch and Banaskantha districts, said Inspector General of Border Range A K Jadeja.

"Police is the second line of defence on the border, as Border Security Force(BSF) is already there to foil any infiltration bid. After the alert, we have asked our men to increase vigil and remain in live contact with BSF and Army to get inputs," Jadeja said.

Similarly, security around key public places, including famous temples along coastal areas such as Somnath temple, has been stepped up.

"After the alert, we have deployed our men at various check-points in the district and intensified checking of vehicles and suspected persons. We have also alerted the police personnel at the famous Somnath temple and asked them to keep a check on all the activities around the temple" Gir-Somnath SP AM Muniya said.