MUMBAI, Oct 8 (UNI) The Indian navy shore establishments and ships in the Arabian sea are maintaining a general state of alert in the wake of United States and British planes and warships attacking targets in Afghanistan since last night.
Various units of western naval command, the premier operational command of the Indian navy, is maintaining a general state of alert since the September 11 terror strikes on Washingtons World Trade Center and Pentagon, the US military headquarters.
"We are watchful.
A general alert level continued to be maintained," Indian navy spokesperson commander R Madhusoodanan told UNI here this morning.
Commander Madhusoodanan said that since the raids on Sunday night, senior officials of the Indian navy were constantly monitoring the developments in the region, especially over the Arabian sea.
Security around embassies enhanced new delhi, Oct 8 (uni): In an effort to prevent any backclash and strikes by terrorists after the us action against Afghanistan, the Delhi Police Today increased its presence and intensified patrolling around the Embassies in the capital, especially the American and Pakistani embassies.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena told uni that more security personnel have been posted at the American and Pakistani embassies, while security in general has been increased for all the other embassies in the Chanakya Puri area of the capital.
Mr Meena, under whose jurisdiction the vvip areas of New Delhi falls, said the force is on a alert all over the capital ever since the us actions against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan was launched last night.
"The entire force has been directed to be on a high alert following the us actions," he said.
Security at various vital installations, government buildings and Historic locations hase also been intensified.
These include the Rashtrapti Bhawan, Parliament house, South and North blocks, Prime Ministers residence, Sena Bhawan, air headquarters, residences of senior officials of the armed forces, buildings Housing Ministries, Red Fort and Qutub Minar.
Moreover, security at Airports, Railway Stations and various Inter-state bus terminus has been reviewed and more reinforcement was provided.
SS-BJP alliance to continue in Mrashtra : Thackerey THANE, Oct 8 (UNI): Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackerey has said that the alliance between his party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would continue for the forthcoming elections to the civic councils in Maharashtra.
Addressing a press conference here last night during his visit to the city to participate in the party office bearers rally, Thackerey said that the Shiv Sena was accepting the proposal put forth by the BJP but added that the BJP and the Shiv Sena should not clamour over seats and allow the Congress to benefit from their feuds.
The Shiv Sena party chief ruled out the possibility of sabotage in the death of the partys Thane District Chief Anand Dighe, but said that the Sena had some evidence against the Sunitidevi Singhania Hospital, where Dighe had been admitted, and would initiate legal action soon.
Taking a dig at the countrys foreign policy, Thackerey said that India should try to curb terrorist activities inside the country before talking of curbing terrorism elsewhere.
Before extending help to any country, India should focus on its internal issues, he said, adding that the countrys foreign policy, especially towards America, was flawed IAF ready for any contingency : Tipnis NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (UNI) India appears ready to share its experience in high-altitude bombing with the United States and its allies in their air campaign against terrorist hide-outs in Afghanistan that began last night.
"The operation requires innovativeness and we are no less innovative and can perhaps do it better," chief of air staff Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis told reporters when asked about IAFs preparedness in the wake of the air attacks and missile strikes in Afghanistan by US-led forces.
The air chief said Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to face "any contingency" in the wake of the US attacks in retaliation of September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
"We are prepared for various contingencies ...
The threat (to India) is more of political in nature rather than military.
However, at this stage, it would not be proper for me to elaborate," Air Chief Marshal Tipnis told mediapersons at Palam Air Force station where he reviewed the parade at IAFs 69th anniversary.
He refused to give details of his intercation with the political leadership after the allies air campaign against Afghanistan started.
The process of formulation of combat development and evaluation strategy is on.
The IAF had been in a state of alert and increased its reconnaissance missions since the September 11 strikes in the United States.
Air Chief Marshal Tipnis said attack and medium-lift helicopters were being upgraded with improved weapon systems, dispensing systems (for flares etc) to reduce vulnerability and night vision devices.
"Prototypes are in the process of being installed and tested," he said.
The air chief reiterated the need for Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft.
"There is an urgent need for replacement of MIG-21 which is not an aircraft for stage-III (operational) training," he said.
He said IAF was trying to avoid American components in its new acquisitions in the light of the experience due to sanctions after the Pokhran tests in 1998.
India to despatch humantarian assistance to Aghanistan NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (UNI): India will despatch humantarian assistance to the war-ravaged Afghanistan.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which reviewed the developments in Afghanistan as well as in Pakistan.
The details of the humantarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan will be announced tomorrow, external affairs minister Jaswant Singh told reporters after a one-hour meeting of the CCS.
Several countries, including the United States, Japan and Canada have sent relief for the affected people of Afghanistan.
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