Date:21/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/21/stories/2003012108551100.htm

National

Plan to 'target' Delhi Metro on R-Day eve

By Devesh K. Pandey

NEW DELHI JAN. 20. Intelligence agencies have intercepted a message about plans by Pakistan-backed militant organisations to target the Delhi Metro railway on the eve of Republic Day, forcing the authorities and the Delhi police to step up security along the Metro track.

As per the input, passed on to the Delhi police on Monday morning, some Pakistan-based terrorists on way to Delhi have been assigned the task of targeting the Metro railway. Officials said such a strike was being planned to gain maximum publicity, as even a slight damage to the Metro would attract international attention.

After the receipt of the report, the Delhi police reviewed the security in and around the Metro. It has been decided to deploy Police Control Room vans outside Tis Hazari, Inter-State Bus Terminus, Shastri Park, Seelampur, Welcome and Shahdara stations.

Security has been stepped up and eight armed policemen have been deployed at each station on two shifts.

In addition, two more personnel, including a commando armed with sophisticated weapons, have been deployed for random checks.

Three personnel, including an officer, have been deployed on three shifts to check railway tracks, apart from three others in the railyards.

For security on the rail, three armed police personnel, including one in plain clothes, have been assigned the task of covering the four compartments. A team of three police personnel led by an officer is in place to carry out combing exercises during night.

All the teams working in tandem have been provided walkie-talkie sets for quick response.

While the Delhi police have their own bomb disposal squads, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has with it two Border Security Force-trained sniffer dogs to detect any explosives on the premises.

Sources said the DMRC would soon acquire 10 more sniffer dogs.

Metal detectors have already been installed at the gates of all stations and belongings of the passengers are also being checked manually.