Terror alert in Tamil Nadu, Kerala after Intel inputs of six Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists' intrusion

A terror alert has been issued across Tamil Nadu following intelligence inputs about the intrusion of a group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists into the state, police said on Friday. As per the latest Intel reports, a six member-team of the terror outfit infiltrated into the state via sea route in Sri Lanka and moved to different cities, including Coimbatore, police added.

In the wake of this precipitated alert, Kerala DGP Loknath Behera also directed district police chiefs to keep utmost vigil across the state, an official release said. Behera also asked the public to inform the police if they come across any suspicious objects or circumstance, it added.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up at vital installations and crowded places, including airports, railway stations, bus stands and sites of worship like - temples, mosques or church - across Tamil Nadu. Coastal districts are on high alert to prevent any further possible intrusion, the police added.

There has been tight patrolling across the Coimbatore district and necessary arrangements have been put in place to avoid any untoward incident. Vehicle checks have been intensified in the city and border areas, the police said, adding that the identity or the nationality of the intruders were yet to be ascertained. Sources, however, suggest that the group comprises one Pakistani national and five Sri Lankan Tamils.

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Speaking to reporters about the latest developments, Sumeet Saran, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City said, "We got information that 6 terrorists have come to Tamil Nadu and they are moving towards Coimbatore. Keeping that in view, we have put a general alert. There is no alarming situation. There is no need to worry about anything".

Sumeet Saran, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City: We got information that 6 terrorists have come to Tamil Nadu and they are moving towards Coimbatore. Keeping that in view, we have put a general alert. There is no alarming situation. There is no need to worry about anything. pic.twitter.com/HQj2QZ0zKZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2019

The alert has also led to storming operations all over Tamil Nadu, which also include lodge checks, hehicle check for explosives and arms, checking of guards at sensitive/critical installations, keeping a look out for miscreants, preventive arrests of bad characters, checking of guards and TPF among others.

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Earlier, speculations had been rife that Pakistan is planning to deploy Afghanistani terrorists along International Border nearing Kashmir. Intelligence reports suggested that these terrorists were ready to infiltrate Kashmir from terror launchpads based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The tension between India and Pakistan has escalated following the former's move to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmr and Ladakh - on August 5.