Religious places, army HQ on hit list of terrorist groups: IB

Intelligence agencies have warned the security forces of a possible terrorist strike at religious and important places like Bhimashankar, Parvati, Dagadusheth temple, Sarasbaug, Chaturshringi temple, ISKCON temple, Chabad House, Lal Deval and Southern Command headquarters.u00a0

Secret letter
In a confidential report, the intelligence agencies issued a letter stating that these places could be the next target of terrorist organisations that have vouched to avenge hangings of Qasab, which took place in Yerawada Central Prison in November 2012, and Afzal Guru, the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament attack in the Capital.

Officialspeak
M B Tambade of Special Branch said, "We have received the inputs from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other intelligence agencies that religious places and army establishment are on the hit list of terrorist outfits."

He said such inputs are received on a regular basis and taking note of the recent one, security was beefed up at above-mentioned places. A police official said, "Every time, we receive info for Chabad House, Osho Ashram, Dagadusheth Temple, some IT hubs, railway station and the recent one being JM Road. But this time alert has come for Bhimashanakar, which is in the rural jurisdiction, and Sarasbaug, Parvati and Chaturshringi temple.

The official informed that instructions were given to all the Zonal DCPs and the local police stations to strengthen security and deploy officials in plain clothes near these places.

As a security measure, police official have intensified scrutiny of lodges and hotels in their respective jurisdictions and suspected members of the banned organisations have been put under the scanner. u00a0