Terror alert: 13 held in Andhra

New Delhi/Hyderabad: After the Intelligence Bureau warning on Thursday of possible terror attacks on "soft spots" across south India, all states have been put on a high security alert.

A high alert was sounded across Andhra Pradesh after the Intelligence Bureau warned the state authorities about the threat.

Hyderabad police commissioner B Prasada Rao said that that there were intelligence reports of three terrorists planning to carry out attacks in south India. "Since Hyderabad is the target of terrorists, we are taking all security measures," he said.

Hyderabad saw two terror attacks in 2007 - a blast in the Mecca Masjid in May, and twin blasts in August - that killed over 50 people.

Security is up at information technology companies, bus and railway stations, shopping malls, theatres and defence establishments here, in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam and at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

Police have asked citizens to watch out for suspicious movement or persons around them.

Hotels have been asked to be cautious about customers, especially those around 25 to 30 years of age.

Police are also making sure that all the important commercial complexes have thorough frisking and access control. The details of passengers travelling in south bound trains are also being verified.

IANS reports that Hyderabad police have picked up 13 suspects travelling in the Hyderabad-New Delhi Andhra Pradesh Express at the Kazipet railway station in Warangal district.

The youth are in the age group of 20-30 years. The suspects were being questioned.

Police also picked up four suspects in Hyderabad during massive checking operations. Special police teams were checking hotels and lodges.

Security has also been tightened around the famous Hindu temple at Tirupati. Police set up barricades at several places in the town and were checking all vehicles going towards hill shrine.

Karnataka's Home Minister V S Acharya has also confirmed that terrorists have been reported to have entered southern India.

“Information has come that three armoured men have come to create some problem. Police are searching for them but could not find them so far. We have informed neighbouring states to be watchful,” he said.