AI Generated Summary
- Specialised teams of the Amritsar Police carried out searches in the vicinity of the Army cantonment at Khasa, the Air Force Station, Vallah, installations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and other strategically important points across the city.
- Security around key military and strategic establishments in Amritsar has been stepped up following intelligence inputs about a possible attempt to target defence installations in Punjab, prompting the city police to launch extensive anti-sabotage checks at sensitive locations.
- Amritsar remains a particularly sensitive district from the security standpoint because of its proximity to the international border and the presence of several important military and security establishments.
Security around key military and strategic establishments in Amritsar has been stepped up following intelligence inputs about a possible attempt to target defence installations in Punjab, prompting the city police to launch extensive anti-sabotage checks at sensitive locations.
Specialised teams of the Amritsar Police carried out searches in the vicinity of the Army cantonment at Khasa, the Air Force Station, Vallah, installations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and other strategically important points across the city.
The security exercise follows an alert concerning suspected activities linked to the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti network. According to officials, the intelligence input indicated that military establishments in the region could be under threat and consequently called for enhanced surveillance and preventive security measures.
The input reportedly referred to two Pakistan-based operatives, identified as Rana Bhai and Malik, and raised concerns over a possible attack on an Army facility. It also suggested that reconnaissance may have been conducted around Khasa Cantonment in Amritsar and the Budha Theh military establishment near Beas.
The development has assumed significance in the backdrop of recent arrests by the Amritsar rural police. Four alleged drug peddlers were apprehended on suspicion of having links with Pakistan-based intelligence operatives and other anti-national elements. Investigators suspect that the accused had shared photographs and information relating to Army cantonment areas and locations around Beas with handlers based across the border.
Following the intelligence alert, anti-sabotage squads were deployed to thoroughly inspect areas surrounding defence and security installations. Vulnerable points and other strategically important locations in Amritsar were also checked as part of the exercise.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskaran Singh said the operation was supervised by senior officers, with Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police leading the teams deployed at different locations.
Officials said the objective of the exercise was to reinforce the existing security grid, identify suspicious movement or objects and plug possible vulnerabilities around sensitive establishments. Police personnel have also been asked to remain vigilant for unusual activity in areas adjoining important installations.
Amritsar remains a particularly sensitive district from the security standpoint because of its proximity to the international border and the presence of several important military and security establishments. Security agencies routinely maintain surveillance in the region, but the latest intelligence input has led to an additional layer of precaution.
Police and other security agencies are continuing to assess the information contained in the alert and verify the suspected reconnaissance activity. Security arrangements at the locations identified in the input are also being reviewed as part of the heightened vigil.
Officials maintained that the searches were preventive in nature and aimed at ensuring that any potential security threat was detected at the earliest stage.
