Gujarat coast put on alert after security threat in Mumbai

Ahmedabad: In the wake of a high alert sounded along the Mumbai coast after some men were seen moving suspiciously near a naval base there today, Gujarat was also put on alert and security agencies have been asked to keep a close vigil on the coastline, officials said.

Additional DGP, Law and Order, Tirth Raj, said the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of coastal districts of Gujarat, along with officials handling the coastal security, have been asked to keep a tab on the activities.

"After a high alert sounded along the Mumbai coast today, we have also issued an alert along the Gujarat coast. All the district SPs of coastal areas have been asked to remain alert and step up security along the coast through continuous patrolling," he said.

"Apart from the district SPs of coastal region, we have asked the IGs and Deputy IGs of those regions as well as heads of Coastal Security Department to take necessary steps. They are also advised to be in touch with local fishermen to get first-hand inputs about any suspicious movements along the coast as well as in the sea," he added.

A high alert was sounded along the Mumbai coast and adjoining areas today after a group of men were spotted moving suspiciously near a naval base at Uran in Raigad district, leading to multi-agency search operations.

The alert, which comes four days after the Uri attack which left 18 soldiers dead, has led to roping in elite forces like National Security Guard (NSG), state police's specialised commandos Force One and ATS for the search and security, police sources said.

Gujarat is located between Mumbai and Pakistan. Ten Pakistani terrorists had hijacked MV Kuber, a fishing trawler, off Jhakau coast in Gujarat to reach Mumbai for carrying out the 26/11 attacks.