By IANS,
Hyderabad: Police in Hyderabad Wednesday went on alert following a warning by central intelligence agencies about possible terror strikes in the city.
Police personnel with the help of dog squads took up search operations at railway and bus stations, markets and some other crowded places. Security has been beefed up at places of worship, historical monuments and vital installations.
Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said the alert was sounded in view of the recent bomb blasts in Bangalore and also to apprehend some suspected terror operatives believed to be hiding in the city.
As the intelligence agencies warned that terrorists could strike crowded place, the dog squads searched Begumbazar, a major trade hub, whrere communal riots occurred early this month.
Security personnel stopped vehicles and checked them at several points in the city.
All police stations in the city have been alerted and leave of police personnel cancelled till May 18, the third anniversary of the bomb blast at historic Mecca Masjid.
The police commissioner appealed to people to inform police about any person moving suspiciously or about any unclaimed object. He advised shopping malls, cinema theatres and shops to install metal detectors, CCTV cameras and deploy private security personnel to gear up security.
“There is no need for panic but people should be alert about their surroundings,” said the police commissioner.
Khan said police were trying to arrest Viquaruddin and his associates who were believed to be in city.
The alert comes a few days ahead of the third anniversary of the blast at Mecca Masjid. Nine people were killed in the blast during Friday prayers at the mosque May 18, 2007.
Last year on the second anniversary of the blast, unidentified persons had opened fire at policemen in the old city killing one policeman and injuring another.
Police believed Viquaruddin, an alleged terror operative, was involved.
In a similar attack Dec 3, 2008, two policemen were injured. The incident took place when police were trying to arrest Viquaruddin. One of the two people accompanying him opened fire on policemen. The three then managed to escape.