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KL GayatriFirst Published : 27 Dec 2008 09:36:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 27 Dec 2008 03:03:25 PM IST
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Eastern Naval Command of Indian Navy and the Coast Guard have been placed on a high alert to protect the country’s east coast in the event of a war breaking out with Pakistan.
According to sources, the Indian Navy has moved six of its most powerful warships to the Western Command.
These include the country’s most modern INS Jalashwa and destroyer INS Ranveer. Naval officials have, however, downplayed the development, saying the warships sailed to the west coast as a routine exercise and had nothing to do with the developing situation.
War clouds, which started hovering over the sub-continent following the diabolical terrorist attack on Mumbai, seem to be turning dark with each passing day, giving rise to speculation that India might attack the terror camps in Azad Kashmir and other parts of Pakistan.
Not losing guard, all major security forces _ Navy, Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force and State police _ have put themselves in a state of readiness to face any situation, and to thwart any enemy attack and protect the east coast and all the vital installations in and around this strategically- located city which is home to a major harbour, Eastern Naval Command, several scientific and defence units, steel and thermal power plants, oil refineries, educational and business establishments, etc.
The State police, in association with the Intelligence Bureau, have been keeping a hawk’s eye on the movement of tourists and other people at all important places. The CISF units at the steel plant, airport, NTPC and HPCL and the port are on a high alert.
Visakhapatnam Port Trust sources said that the shipping minister held a meeting with all major port chairmen at New Delhi on Dec 22 and alerted them to get ready to face any situation.
Later, the CISF and Indian Coast Guard units were alerted and told to tighten the security arrangements at their respective units here.
After the Mumbai terror attack, all vulnerable places and establishments have come under strict security blanket.
``If war breaks out between India and Pakisthan, Visakhapatnam is likely to be a prime target,’’ a senior naval official said and recalled Pakistani submarine Ghazi’s misadventure during the 1971 war. When Ghazi intruded into the India waters off Visakhapatnam and was close to causing a major damage, the Indian Navy successfully tracked it and sank it, striking a severe blow to the Pakistani attack capability, the naval official told Express.
