High alert in Delhi after Sydney hostage crisis

NEW DELHI: A high alert was sounded in the city on Monday in the wake of a hostage crisis at a Sydney cafe. Intelligence agencies asked the Delhi Police to beef up security around "western-origin" coffee houses and eateries along with those owned by Indian firms in the coming days, sources said.

The police may position their SWAT personnel and spotters with snipers at embassies and other vital installations depending upon the situation.

With Christmas round the corner and Republic Day nearly a month away, Delhi is already on alert. The latter will witness an unprecedented security blanket over the capital because of US president Barrack Obama's proposed visit to the capital. The police were alerted late on Monday noon after senior security officials had a meeting with the national security adviser. Sources said that along with Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai have also been asked to step up the security at their vital establishments.

The leaves of SHOs have been cancelled by the district DCPs and the patrolling has been boosted in central and south Delhi areas, which have been on terrorists' radar. The police brass has issued instructions to ensure heavy barricading and picket checking at strategic locations with a special vigil on the vehicles entering Delhi from UP and Haryana.

Embassies of western countries and their officials have also been asked to be careful in the wake of the alert. The Intelligence Bureau had earlier warned of a "lone-wolf" attack-where a lone westerner may be targeted. The agency has reiterated the warning.

Sources in the police say that tight vigil is being maintained at malls in Saket and Vasant Kunj and markets in Connaught Place and Sadar Bazar. Security will be tightened at Chandni Chowk, Paharganj and Sarojini Nagar over the next few days.