New Delhi, August 25: Delhi Police has intensified surveillance and security measures ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit following intelligence inputs about a possible terror threat to the national capital, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.
According to the officer, security agencies are examining inputs suggesting that Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti could be attempting to facilitate an attack in Delhi or its adjoining areas during the summit period.The police are monitoring the activities of more than 2,000 people as part of the preventive exercise.
The list includes proclaimed offenders, people currently out on bail and individuals previously released due to insufficient evidence, the officer said.Authorities are particularly examining the possibility of a low-intensity attack aimed at creating panic and attracting public attention rather than causing large-scale casualties.
Police are also assessing intelligence about a possible attempt to target law-enforcement personnel in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring areas. Investigators are examining suspected links between the alleged network and local associates.
The security alert comes ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in Delhi on September 12 and 13. The event is expected to bring foreign leaders and senior delegations to the capital, prompting security agencies to strengthen arrangements at key venues, transport routes and other sensitive locations.
The latest intelligence assessment follows a wider investigation and crackdown against an alleged criminal-terror network associated with Bhatti. According to information cited by authorities, more than 200 suspected operatives have been arrested as part of the recent nationwide operation, while over 80 cases have been registered in connection with allegations involving terrorism, illegal weapons, explosives and narcotics.
Investigating agencies have also reported the recovery of firearms, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and grenades during the crackdown. Authorities are examining suspected links between the network’s members in India and overseas handlers.
Police are also investigating the alleged use of social media and encrypted communication platforms to identify potential recruits and coordinate activities.The security concerns extend beyond Delhi.
Punjab Police has separately received an intelligence alert regarding a possible threat to military establishments in the Amritsar region. However, investigators have not established any link between that alert and a low-intensity explosion reported near the boundary of Khasa Cantonment in May.In Delhi, intelligence and police teams are continuing to assess possible local facilitators and connections with overseas operatives.
Security around important installations and summit-related locations is expected to remain heightened as the event approaches.Officials have stressed that the latest inputs are being treated as preventive intelligence alerts and do not, by themselves, establish that an attack is imminent.
Security agencies are nevertheless maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent any attempt to disrupt the summit or create panic in the capital.
