SEARCH AT HALDIA DOCK

HALDIA, 17 AUG: With the state government sounding a red alert following a warning from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) about a possible sea-borne terrorist attack in the state’s riverine-port at Haldia, the Indian Coast Guard and the CISF officials launched a massive search operation both in the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) and the industrial belt today.
The alert came in the wake of several reports and Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram’s warning that terrorists based in Pakistan could carry out an attack similar to the ones witnessed in Mumbai from November 26 to 29 last year.
According to sources in the Haldia dock, the search operation started last night soon after the IB alert on the possible sea-borne attack at Haldia port by a militant group reached the district police from the state government. All the gates of the HDC, the administrative building of the port’s Jawahar Tower and the port’s operation building at Chiranjibpur were immediately sealed by the joint forces. Security personnel have been deployed at all jetties and berths including the three oil-jetties to keep vigil and the Coast Guard has stepped up patrolling along the coast off Haldia dock.
Mr Anil Madhukar, commandant of the Haldia Coast Guard who is personally overseeing the whole search operation, said: “Following the receipt of intelligence inputs that there was a possibility of attack through the sea route, we have taken all type of security measures inside and outside the port. The surveillance along the riverine route has also been stepped up in a view to intercept any suspicious fishing boats that could be used by terrorists.”
Mr Pallav Kanti Ghosh, superintendent of police, said: “There is no need to be panicked. Security measures have already been taken at all places in the port and its adjacent industrial areas.”
The deputy chairman of the Haldia Dock Complex Mr Rajiv Dube confirmed: “After receiving Intelligence inputs of a possible terror strike at Haldia port, the Coast Guard has already stepped up patrolling along the Haldia coast as well as intensifying the security arrangements at all important areas here.”