Terrorists threaten to attack trains in Bihar

PATNA - Security has been tightened at main railway stations and in all trains passing through Bihar after an alert of possible attacks on railway installations by Taliban-trained suicide squads, an official said Monday.

“Security was beefed up in trains and at railway stations in Bihar following a tip off about a threat of terrorist attacks,” state Home Secretary Amir Subhani said.

The senior divisional security commissioner of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has sounded a high alert in Eastern and East Central Railway zones. The commissioner has sent a letter to the superintendent of the rail police of Patna, Katihar and Jamalpur in Bihar in which it was made clear that Taliban-trained suicide squads may target railway installations.

The letter said that all railway officials and staff should be put on maximum alert in view of the threat to human lives, railway property and firearms.

“After being alerted by the commissioner, additional security forces have been deployed in trains and at railway stations in Bihar,” Mohgammad Tauqeer, an RPF commandant, said.

Security forces have been directed to check all trains and be alert at railway stations. “We have increased escort parties in trains and deployed more security forces at railway stations,” Tauqeer told IANS over telephone.

In view of the threat, security was stepped up at Patna and Gaya railway stations, Subhani said.

Last week the Intelligence Bureau had informed the Bihar police about the infiltration of six well-trained terrorists from Nepal. After that an alert was sounded in the state.