In a swift response to the devastating high-intensity blast near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening, security has been significantly tightened at the revered Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine, its base camp in Katra, and across Jammu city, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The security beef-up comes after a slow-moving car packed with explosives detonated at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station during peak evening hours. The blast killed at least 10 people, gutted several vehicles, and left 24 others injured, sending shockwaves across the national capital and prompting immediate action in sensitive regions across North India.
Vigilance at Pilgrimage Hub
A senior police officer told PTI that "security has been beefed up in vital areas of the Jammu region." Emphasizing the immediate nature of the response, the officer added, "Security measures have been immediately strengthened at the Vaishno Devi cave shrine and the base camp in Katra."
The shrine, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India, attracts lakhs of devotees annually, making it a potential high-value target. The security enhancement aims to prevent any potential spillover of terror activity following the Delhi incident.
Security has also been enhanced in and around Jammu city, with a particular focus on critical infrastructure. "Vigilance has been increased along railway tracks and the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway," the officer stated. A high alert has been sounded across the entire Jammu region.
Demonstrating the seriousness of the situation, top police officers conducted nocturnal security checks. DIG of Jammu-Kathua range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, personally carried out a security inspection in Jammu city on Monday night to ensure protocols were being rigorously followed.
Haryana on High Alert
The ripple effect of the Red Fort blast was felt in neighbouring Haryana, where a state-wide high alert was sounded on Monday evening. Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh, in a post on social media platform X, urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant.
"High alert across Haryana state in view of #Delhi incident. People are requested to remain calm. If any suspicious person or unclaimed object is seen, inform '112' (emergency helpline)," the DGP stated. He assured the public that all police officers were deployed in their respective areas.
The state police have intensified checks at state borders and are scrutinizing all public transport, parking areas, hotels, and dharamshalas. All district magistrates in districts bordering Delhi have been directed to maintain a strict vigil. The state government statement also confirmed that crowded public places and historical sites are under heightened surveillance.
Leadership Expresses Grief
Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed his profound grief over the incident. In a post on X, he termed the blast "painful and worrisome."
"To those people who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident, may God grant them the strength to endure this unbearable sorrow. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured," CM Saini wrote.
The coordinated security response across Jammu and Haryana underscores the heightened state of alertness as authorities investigate the Red Fort blast and work to prevent any further acts of violence. The focus remains on protecting critical religious sites, infrastructure, and the public at large during this period of heightened threat perception.
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