Vigil upped at Gujarat borders on intel input

AHMEDABAD: Following specific intelligence input that four terror suspects holding Afghanistan passports have infiltrated India, Gujarat has upped vigil on its borders it is sharing with three states and at seven points on its coast.
A top police official said 60 SRP jawans armed with light machine guns have been deployed at each point. “We have also armed them with tire shredders to stop any vehicle trying to break barricades,” he added.
According to sources, the Gujarat ATS has asked all special operations group (SOG) units to gather information about Afghanistan nationals staying in the state since July 15.Police said that the suspects have been issued passports from Kunar province of Afghanistan.
The city police have been asked to be on vigil 24x7 and beef up security in sensitive areas. The instructions include checking hotels and guesthouses in their respective areas.
Police sources said that the four suspects — including a preacher named Zaki — entered India in early August. One of the members is believed to be a Pakistan national.
Officials said the input mentions that the team has spilt into two and they may carry out terror strikes anywhere in the country. The intelligence input was forwarded to agencies and police stations across the state asking them to stay vigilant and send a report latest by Monday morning.
“The information about the input is now in public domain and we have identified those who leaked it. We will take strict legal action against those responsible for the leak,” the official added.
In a fax message sent to all in-charges of SOG units on August 17, the ATS shared a photograph of a person it claimed was the head of the four-member terror group, which might have entered the country ahead of Independence Day.
Police have also attached the photo of a Pakistani ID of Zaki, who is allegedly providing guidance to this group.
The ATS has instructed SOG teams to make use of their network of informants and conduct “verification” of Afghan nationals.
“There are no specific inputs that terrorists have entered Gujarat. This is being done as a precautionary measure. As of now, no suspicious person has been found,” an ATS official said on condition of anonymity.