Republic Day terror alert: Why Delhi cops are looking for ‘suspicious animals’ | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Republic Day terror alert: Why Delhi cops are looking for ‘suspicious animals’

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByKarn Pratap Singh
Jan 25, 2017 07:18 PM IST

Delhi Police’s anti-terrorist squad, Special Cell, has issued an advisory to its 78,000-plus police personnel and asked them to watch out for any “suspicious” animal.

Watch out for stray animals wandering on roads and public places that look “suspicious” as those can be used as “suicide bombers” by terrorists to carry out terror strikes during the Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police has warned in an advisory.

Delhi Police personnel maintain vigil at the popular Sarojini Nagar market ahead of Republic Day.(Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)
Delhi Police personnel maintain vigil at the popular Sarojini Nagar market ahead of Republic Day.(Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Animals like dogs, cats, goats and cows are usually considered ‘harmless’, but Delhi Police’s anti-terrorist squad, Special Cell, issued the advisory to its 78,000-plus police personnel and asked them to watch out for any “suspicious” animal.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the advisory issued on Wednesday, Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (special cell), said, “According to a reliable input, terrorists may use animals as suicide bombers to attack during the Republic Day celebrations.”

All police personnel have been asked to take help from civic agencies to keep animals away from the main venue as well as the route of the parade.

HT has a copy of the letter, which was forwarded to the commissioner of police and 44 other senior police officials, including all special commissioners, joint commissioners and the 13 district DCPs.

A senior police officer on the condition of anonymity said station house officers (SHOs) of all the 190 police stations have been asked to alert their staff about the advisory and ask them to look out for animals wandering on roads and public places.

“The staff have been asked to take help from animal catchers and NGOs that rescue street animals to spot and catch such animals. This message has been conveyed to all our staff and they have been asked to remain alert till the completion of the Republic Day celebrations on Thursday,” the officer said.

Police sources said the personnel have also been asked to prepare a list of recent cases that involved theft of pet animals.

Police officials believe some pets could have been stolen by terrorists for the purpose of carrying out terror strikes during the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.

“Investigating officers of such cases have been asked to give status reports to their SHOs through whom those will be sent to the concerned district DCPs,” said the source.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On