Anti-terror mission - to top the agenda of Pune police in 2009

Links of various terror attacks traced to Pune

Kondhwa and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI):

The police have already swung into action and have prepared a detailed list of activists of the now-banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) operating in the city. The list has been submitted to the office of the state director general of police, the state home department, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), intelligence agencies and other police units.

Besides, vigil in sensitive areas like Kondhwa has also been stepped up.

Mission Mrityunjay:

Police commissioner Satyapal Singh also announced a plan to enlist the help of city college students in tackling crime, dubbed Mission Mrityunjay. As part of the initiative, the police expect to establish a strong network across all colleges in the city in 2009. This, they hope, will help them gather vital information not just pertaining to terrorism but all kinds of organised crime.

Closed-circuit cameras in strategic locations:

The police have submitted several proposals to the state government for demanding facilities like installation of closed-circuit cameras in strategic locations in Pune, sophisticated weapons, new lockups and more manpower and vehicles.

The police have asked for AK-47s, AK-59s and self-loading rifles. Besides, the police only have 25 bullet-proof jackets and an equal number of helmets.

Patrolling, nakabandi and new police stations:

"We have stepped up intelligence gathering, increased patrolling and have also launched massive nakabandi and combing operations. Seven new police stations were opened this year and we hope that our proposal for starting two more, which has been pending before the state government, will be approved in the upcoming year," the top police officer said.

Property owners - provide information of tenants:

The police also expect that the order asking property owners to provide detailed information of their tenants and the computerisation of the records of criminals will help speed up investigations in the forthcoming months.

Bomb detection and disposal squad:

An additional 50 policemen have been provided to the bomb detection and disposal squad for conducting checks and 200 more policemen have been provided to the traffic branch, Pune, for intensifying its drive against traffic violators.

"The year ahead seems tough for us, but we are prepared. We also need the state government's support and expect our pending proposals to be cleared in the new year," the senior officer said.
To read more, please, visit - The Times of India

Related Stories:

1) Kondhwa: Pune's emerging terror nest

2) City's first brush with terror in 1986

Although Pune's first major brush with terror was in 1986 when a group of Khalistani terrorists assassinated retired army general Arun Kumar Vaidya for his role in 'Operation Bluestar', it was the arrests of Anwar Alis and Javed Sheikh which have given a new insight into Pune's links with terrorism.

The chronology of major actions against terrorism in Pune so far:

3) Housing societies keep a close watch