December 23, 2024 05:12 am (IST)
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Kolkata, Haldia ports remain under high vigil after terror threats
Kolkata, Nov 5 (IBNS): High alert remained enforced on Wednesday in the two dock systems of Kolkata Port in Kolkata and Haldia after intelligence agencies received warning of possible terror attacks from Pakistan based terrorists, prompting the Indian Navy to remove two warships from the port, officials said.
While Kolkata Port was supposedly the prime target as per the intelligence reports, the Haldia Port is also kept under high vigil.
"Both Kolkata and Haldia ports are on the same riverine route. So in both ports the vigil is strong," Kolkata Port Trust deputy chairman in charge of Haldia, Manish Jain, said.
According to officials, the frequency of patrolling has been increased by all agencies. Port officials are in constant touch with the CISF, state police and Coast Guard.
According to reports received, central intelligence agencies have reportedly intercepted some telephonic conversations after which a high alert has been sounded in the port area on Tuesday.
While Kolkata's additional joint commissioner of police Rajeev Mishra said "we are taking care of the situation," another official told IBNS that the threat is from Pakistan based terrorists and all precautionary measures have been taken.
Media reported that central intelligence agencies have warned that terrorists may be aided by Pakistan navy to attack Kolkata port.
Intelligence sources said some intercepts suggested that there was a terror threat to the Kolkata port. The West Bengal government held a high-level security meeting with central agencies, the Army and the Navy and decided to sanitise the port.
It has been learnt that an emergency meeting had taken place between port officials, Kolkata Police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The development came after central intelligence agencies warned that naval wing of Al-Qaeda are planning to attack Kolkata Port, according to another source.
Two Indian Navy warships, missile frigate 'INS Khukri' and an offshore Patrol Vessel OPV Sumitra, that had docked at Kolkata for Navy week celebrations on Tuesday, have been instructed to leave port immediately and have gone back to sea.
A Defence Ministry statement said they had been "withdrawn for undisclosed operational reasons."
The naval agencies and coast guard have also been alerted.
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