Panic grips Haldia as cops search for ultras

Police have confirmed the infiltration, but refused to give more information. A massive man hunt has been launched to track down the terrorists.

"We are not sure if they had entered by water or by land. We are still awaiting details," said district police superintendent Pallav Kanti Ghosh.

The police and CISF have been combing through the port and civil areas of Haldia as well as the nearby Durgachak, which is about 150 km from Kolkata. Ghosh  mentioned that Durgachak has high concentration of population and has plants of IOC and Haldia Petro Chemicals. He said a large contingent of police has been sent to the area.

The development comes in the wake of the BSF arresting and interrogating some Pakistani nationals off the Rann of Kutch on Monday. The Centre had sent alerts to several states, including West Bengal, regarding terrorists infiltration ahead of Independence Day.

Meanwhile, Haldia township was swept by tension as police told residence of the terrorist infiltration and asked them to report immediately the presence of strange men. Many of them are staying indoors.