Security heightened at Mumbai spots frequented by foreigners

Mumbai: Maharashtra government has put on 'high alert' some spots in Mumbai that see a substantial inflow of foreign tourists, after the State Intelligence Department (SID) received inputs of possible terror strike in those areas.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who held a security review meeting yesterday, ordered that security be stepped up in such areas.

The meeting was chaired by Fadnavis, who also heads the Home department, and included both Ministers of State for Home Ranjit Patil and Ram Shinde, along with Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi, state Director General of Police Pravin Dixit, senior officials from the SID and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

"Following inputs by the SID of a possible terror strike, the Mumbai Police was yesterday asked to enhance the security cover at all places that see a substantial footfall of foreign tourists. Places like Gateway of India, 5 and 7-star hotels have been put on high alert," an official, who was part of yesterday's meeting, told PTI.

The enhanced security measures will be in place for the next 15 days, following which another security review meeting will be held, the official said.

"If the high threat risk persists even after a fortnight, we will continue with the security arrangements," he said.

The threat of a terror attack on establishments comes in the backdrop of the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, in which 129 people were killed and over 350 wounded.