Goa steps up security after terror alert

Security in Goa has been beefed up following reports of possible infiltration of Pakistan militants in Mumbai via western coast. Goa police have intensified marine and regular patrolling and asked all security agencies to remain alert.

?All security agencies have been put on alert although there is no specific input of terror threat in Goa,? State Chief Secretary Sanjay Shrivastava said.

Goa already has presence of four Para-military force in wake of Christmas and New Year celebrations. ?Goa is on general alert as all other states in the country. But we have taken all possible precautionary measures to evade any untoward incident and ensure safety to all those in Goa,? he said.

Goa police spokesperson Atmaram Deshpande said that the alert was sounded in western coast and since Goa shares the Arabian Sea, security is intensified here as well.

?If there is possibility of intrusion then it can be from anywhere in the coast, even Goa,? he told reporters.

Mumbai is on terror alert after security officials received credible information that Pakistan-based terror outfit Laskar-e-Taiba militants have infiltrated into Mumbai to carry out terrorist attack.

Goa has often faced terror threat ? directly on indirectly, especially during the peak tourist and holiday season. As the strength of Goa police is weak in terms of providing security when in emergencies, the State always depends on Central Para-military forces.

?We have asked for more Para-military force,? Shrivastava said.