Rajnath Singh convened a meeting to discuss threat.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
Indian intelligence agencies have warned the government that terrorists are planning to carry out attacks similar to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and they might target ports and small islands across the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Intelligence report submitted to the government said that the terrorist groups have identified about 180 small ports and islands to execute attacks. Terror organizations are taking advantage of loosening security across the coastal line, reported India Today.
The ports in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala are on the hit list of terrorists. About 30 small islands situated near to Indian coastal line are also on the list. According to intelligence sources, militants have shortlisted 10 isolated islands where they can hide and carry out the operation.
In the backdrop of the intelligence inputs, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had convened a meeting of Home Ministers, Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) of coastal states and Union Territories in Mumbai to review the state of security in these states earlier this week.
The minister has urged the authorities to enhance surveillance and security measures across the 7,516 km long coastline of India. As militants can use sea route to enter places of strategic importance, the government has asked the states to ensure strict security across the coastal line.
The report said that the concerned authorities are asked to strictly implement the norms of the Standard Operating Procedures in the coastal area. The procedures were prepared after the November 26, 2008, Mumbai attacks that killed 164 people and injured over 300. The terrorists had taken sea route to enter Mumbai city.