Will bomb Kashi Vishwanath: Lashkar threat sends UP govt in tizzy, extra security deployed in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura

A statewide high-alert was sounded in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday after the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s letter threatening to blow up famous religious places, including Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, and several railways stations between June 6 and 10.

Taking nothing to chances, the DGP OP Singh had directed all ADGs, Zonal IGs and district police chiefs to deploy additional security in and around religious places and railways stations.

The security of Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Ram and Krishna Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya and Mathura respectively were beefed up further. Local Intelligence units and plaint clothe police men were deployed at sensitive places to report movement of any suspicious persons.

Directions have been issued to allow devotees to enter these sensitive temples through the metal detectors only after physical frisking. Dog squads have been stationed at these temples and railway stations.

The LeT threat letter issued by so-called commander Ambu Shaikh was received by the Northern Railways, New Delhi on May 29. The letter was passed on to the State DGP for action. The letter had also mentioned to blow up Hapur and Saharanpur Railway stations.  

Briefing media after day so far passed off without any untoward incident, the ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar claimed that “security was further tightened in view of the LeT threat letter and there was no need for any panic.”

“Our security personnel are keeping a round the clock vigil not only at the places mentioned in the threat letter but other sensitive places also, including tourist spots, as a precautionary measure, ” said Kumar.

The ADG Law and Order claimed that the IB and other intelligence said that they have never come across LeT Commander with the name of Ambu Shaikh. “It could be some kind of prank but we have sounded a high alert to deal with any situation,” said Kumar.

“We are trying to verify the authenticity of the letter and awaiting inputs of intelligence agencies,” said the ADG (L & O).

A similar threat letter was pasted at a railway godown in Mathura about a month ago to blow up railways station.