After Pathankot attack, Mumbai locals on high alert
State issues advisory; special teams of railway police’s commando force to patrol all routes.
Following the Pathankot terror attack, the railway police are on high alert following a state advisory about the possibility of a similar attack on Mumbai’s suburban train services.
Several special teams of railway police’s commando force have been formed to patrol all the routes of the local trains.
Government Railway Police (GRP) sources said, the advisory, issued last week, mentioned the terror strike at Pathankot airbase, where six heavily-armed terrorists laid siege.
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According to the intelligence gathered from the central and the state agencies, the advisory noted that such a strike on Mumbai’s local trains could not be ruled out and asked the railway police to take necessary steps to beef up security.
The GRP and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have pressed into service sniffer dog teams to sanitise the terminals and stations that see heavy footfall. All police stations have been put on alert and all points on railway platforms identified for deploying police personnel are being covered round the clock.
“The police personnel on station vigilance duty have been asked to be alert and conduct random baggage checks. Anti-sabotage checks are being carried out at railway premises,” said a GRP officer requesting anonymity.
RPF commandos have been divided in groups of four to supervise overall station security for the central, western and harbour lines.
GRP commissioner Madhukar Pandey said, “We are taking requisite measures to secure Mumbai’s local trains and commuters. All our resources and personnel have been pressed into service.”
Local trains had been targeted earlier in 2006, when blasts in seven local trains between Mahim and Bhyandar stations within 11 minutes killed over 200 people and injured 829 others.
Citing the modus operandi of the terrorists in Pathankot, the advisory mentioned about a gang of armed terrorists targeting a railway terminal. It mentioned the attackers could try to replicate 26/11 attack and could create a hostage situation within the station.
Railway police have also been asked to keep a watch on suspicious groups carrying luggage. Scanning of CCTV camera footage is also being done constantly.
