Security Beefed Up Across Delhi Ahead Of Diwali As Police Suspect Terror Threat

Heavy number of police personnel have been deployed in several market and crowded areas in New Delhi as a security measure keeping in mind the occasion of Diwali which will be celebrated across the country on Sunday.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made at 'places of higher footfalls' in the national capital. (Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: Heavy number of police personnel have been deployed in several market and crowded areas in New Delhi as a security measure keeping in mind the occasion of Diwali which will be celebrated across the country on Sunday. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik has directed all senior officers to strengthen anti-terror measures in their respective areas, news agency PTI quoted its sources as saying. "Due to high footfall at Ghazipur market, extra force has been deployed and patrolling has also been increased in the area. Officers in civil dress are also there," Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Jasmeet Singh said. The unprecedented security arrangements have been made at 'places of higher footfalls' in the national capital comes as Police suspect terror threat from Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), report from IANS said. The threat is reportedly based on a series of telephonic intercepts involving two Jaish commanders from across the border. In Delhi, security is at the highest alert in three crowded markets -- Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh localities. Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and armed para military personnel have been deployed in key areas, including Khan Market, Bengali Market, Connaught Place, India Gate, Rajpath, India International Centre (IIC) and Delhi Gymkhana. Police is conducting heavy patrolling in several locations of the national capital from Saturday evening and number of CCTV cameras at markets and residential areas have also gone up and the footage is being constantly monitored. Reports also state that the east police district has Ghazipur market, the northwest district of police has Azadpur mandi, which is Asia's largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables. Joint Commissioner of Police (western range) Shalini Singh said patrolling had been intensified in markets and areas witnessing high footfalls across west Delhi. "Police are trying to make people aware. The market associations and residential areas have been informed to contact the police if they notice any suspicious person in their area," Singh said. "During festive seasons, we intensify the drive to check vehicles coming at these markets and also ask the agricultural produce market committee (APMC) representatives to hire more private guards and contact police in case they witness any suspicious person or activity," said Vijayanta Arya, deputy commissioner of police (northwest) told the news agency. The APMC representatives have also been asked to maintain a proper register to write down the names and other details of truck drivers visiting the markets while police are randomly checking the contents of the trucks, Arya said. The security in bordering areas have also been intensified. (With inputs from agencies)