After Paris attacks, security stepped up in Delhi and Mumbai

Security arrangements in Delhi and Mumbai were stepped up hours after deadly terror strikes in Paris left more than 120 people dead.Gunmen and bombers struck busy restaurants, bars and a concert hall at locations around Paris on Friday, in what a shaken President Francois Hollande described as an unprecedented terrorist attack. Eight attackers were killed -- seven of them by their suicide vests.Hours after the Paris attack, the number of armed guards posted at watch booths outside Mumbai airport’s domestic terminals and patrolling teams operating in the vicinity was doubled. In Delhi, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) headquarters sounded out a ‘high alert’ asking all airports to fortify its entrances facing the city.“The alert stated increasing security cover towards to entry points towards the city keeping the nature of attacks in mind,” said a senior CISF official requesting anonymity.The official added that areas such as airports, which witness the gathering of hundreds of people, are often the soft targets for fidayeen-styled attacks.
In Delhi, security arrangement outside the French embassy, the diplomatic enclave, government buildings, markets, railway stations, Metro network and bus terminals were also stepped up. Vigil is being kept around prominent hotels, malls and markets in the city.“We are alert and have taken adequate measures to deal with any emergency,” said a senior police official.“The Special Cell of Delhi Police



which is the specialised counter-terrorism unit has also been briefed and the crime branch has also been kept in loop,” the official said.A meeting of senior officials was held on Saturday and local police were also asked to be alert and report any untoward happening in areas under their jurisdiction.Security was beefed up around major establishments across various cities of Maharashtra on Saturday, including Mumbai that has often been targeted by terrorists.“All police units have been asked to review and access control measures at places with heavy footfall,” Maharashtra director general of police Praveen Dixit said.“Owners and managers of such places have also been asked to do mock drills to avoid any possible untoward incidents,” Dixit told Joint commissioner of police (law and order) Deven Bharti said security has been beefed up in Mumbai as well.The country’s financial capital has earlier witnessed deadly terror attacks that claimed scores of lives and injured hundreds.“Though we always remain alert, in wake of the attacks in Paris, security has been beefed across the city. Officials concerned have been asked to remain more vigilant,” he said. Security at major railway stations, airports, commercial establishments like shopping malls, theatres has been stepped up, another senior officer of Mumbai Police said.The official apprised that all agencies involved in monitoring of security measures have been asked to share vital inputs more precisely.