Security tightened at IndianOil depot
Chandigarh   07-May-2012

Police on Friday conducted a security drive to check arrangements at the IndianOil depot at Suchi Pind village. Heavy police force reinforced by commandoes from the Punjab police and personnel from border security force were deployed in and outside the depot.

Sources said that that a general alert had been issued on terrorists' plan to target oil depots in the state.

The drive on Friday was meant to review the security arrangements at the IndianOil depot. The threat perception remains and the security will be tight at the depot for another 3-4 days.

Police parties conducted searches at different locations in the IndianOil depot campus with the help of metal detectors. Bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams were also deployed to assist in operations. Sniffers dogs were also used.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Tulsi Ram said: "Though the police conducts a security check up at the depot regularly, but instructions were issued from police headquarters in Chandigarh to check the security arrangements."

Besides the DCP, additional deputy commissioner of police headquarters, Navjot Singh Mahal, and assistant commissioner of police, central, Naresh Dogra reached the spot.

"Friday's exercise might be seen as an attempt to tighten the security arrangements at the place," the DCP said. Some police officials, however, said the drive was a routine affair.

Security beefed up at oil refinery

Bathinda: The security at Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery in Bathinda was tightened abruptly on Friday based on inputs from central agencies about a terrorist threat to oil houses across the country. More men are deployed also at the Jassi Paon Wali Chowk oil depot near Bathinda.

The Border Security Force is expected to be deployed around the refinery in another few days. Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba is suspected to be planning the attacks. The high security will stay for a while, SSP SS Gill has confirmed.