India reacts to terror alerts, says it’s vigilant (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - In the wake of a string of terror alerts and travel advisories by the US, Britain, Australia and Canada, India Thursday said the government was taking all necessary precautions to safeguard the security of people.

“The government of India takes all precautions necessary to safeguard the security of all citizens,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters when asked to comment on travel advisories issued by these countries, warning of terror attacks in crowded markets in Delhi.

“All necessary precautions are being taken to ensure that such risks are being taken care of,” Rao said.

This week, the missions of the US, Britain, Canada and Australia have warned of possible terror attacks in Delhi and advised their citizens to keep away from crowded and popular markets in the Indian capital.

All the foreign travel advisories gave guidelines to be extra cautious in crowded and public places.

The government also put Delhi Police on alert after the US embassy and the other Western foreign missions warned of possible terror attacks in well-known and crowded markets in the Indian capital.

A home ministry official said the government was “aware” of such threat perceptions and was taking them “seriously”. “We are aware of these threats and have alerted Delhi Police to stay on guard to prevent any attack,” home ministry spokesperson Onkar Kedia told IANS.

The alert was sounded after US information that terrorists were planning to target tourists, particularly American nationals, in some Indian cities.

This triggered travel advisories from other Western foreign missions as well, asking citizens not to venture into crowded and popular markets in the city.

The Australian high commission Thursday raised its alert level to “high degree of caution” - the third highest level, echoing the warning of the US embassy.

“According to these warnings, specific and credible information suggests that markets, including Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Mehrauli, and Sarojini Nagar could be targeted by terrorists in the coming days or weeks,” the advisory said.