Security up in major Himachal temples

SHIMLA - Security has been stepped up in leading temples in Himachal Pradesh following warnings of possible strikes by a Punjab terrorist group, police said Monday.

Superintendent of Police Atul Kumar Fulzele told IANS that there had been intelligence inputs that Babbar Khalsa might target temples during the Navratra season beginning March 16.

Accordingly, security has been intensified in three major temples of Kangra district - Jawalamukhi, Brajeshwari Devi and Chamunda. “We are not taking any chances,” Fulzele said.

Bomb disposal and dog squads have been deployed in the temples, he added.

The three temples draw hundreds of thousands of devotees - from India and abroad - during the Navratras.