Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said police and intelligence departments have been directed to be on high alert amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
“In the wake of the unfortunate killing of our soldiers since yesterday, the defence department has taken some retaliatory measures. At a time when the situation depicts conflict between two countries, all state governments need to be alert,” the chief minister said.
Police security will also be beefed up in Bengaluru, just like other parts of the state. Apart from Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Army units, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) facilities are also located in Karnataka will also get additional protection, sources in the police said.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said, “As a precautionary measure, the entire police force in the state is on alert. There is no specific alert sent for any particular establishment or place.”
A ‘state-1’ alert has been announced for the naval base at Karwar in coastal Karnataka. This means that a state of careful watching and readiness must prevail in lieu of danger. This calls for round the clock alertness. Check-ups will be conducted in and around the base.
Navy personnel have already started conducting thorough checks on civilians entering the base for works. Apart from a few selected gates of the naval base, all alternative gates have been closed. Security has been beefed up at the base with personnel manning both sides of roads and entryways leading to the base.
This development comes after the Indian government confirmed on Wednesday that one Indian pilot— Abhinandan Varthaman was in the custody of Pakistani troops after he had engaged one of the Pakistani jets which had strayed into the Indian air space.
In a demarche issued to the Pakistani High Commissioner, the Indian government strongly protested the circulation of videos on social media of an injured Abhinandan and called for his early release by Pakistan.