This Article is From May 02, 2010

Alert at Delhi markets continues, US warns of 'imminent' terror strike

New Delhi:
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Delhi's Sunday is being spent on edge as the alert for a possible terror strike in a crowded place continues.

The government and the police say precautions added at markets like Sarojini Nagar include security cameras, metal detector and more policemen than usual.

"Delhi police are not just concentrating on markets and malls in the national capital, but we are also keeping strict vigil on all crowded areas as it's a weekend," Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told IANS.

"Additional police forces are being deployed in all the market areas like Connaught Place, Mehrauli, Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk. Even big malls in and around the city have been alerted on security checks," he said.

Soon after the terror alert, the Delhi Police appealed to the public to be vigilant. "If any suspicious object, person or vehicle is noticed, information should be passed on immediately to the nearest police station, or the public can call up toll free number - 1090," Bhagat said.

On Saturday, the US, in an advisory to citizens, warned of an "imminent" attack in the capital.  Americans were asked to avoid markets like Sarojini Nagar, Greater Kailash and Karol Bagh.  This is the first time the US has used the word "imminent" in any advisory on a terror alert in India. Canada and Australia issued similar advisories on Saturday. (Read: US advisory warns of Delhi attack, cops on alert)

Sources in the Indian government say that Indian intelligence agencies received information on Friday night that a person had been asked to attack a crowded place on Saturday. That alert is still being followed.

Sources say the latest threat, like other recent ones, is aimed at disrupting the Commonwealth Games in Delhi later this year. Emails received by sports bodies in UK, Canada and Australia warn them not to send athletes to Delhi for the Games. Sources say these emails have been traced to servers in Pakistan. (With IANS inputs)

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