Tipped off about infiltration, Mumbai police intensifies checks

Police sources said that documents of Afghanistan and Pakistan nationals pertaining to their stay in Mumbai have been thoroughly verified.

About 500 hotels and lodges including Five Star hotels were checked recently to ascertain if any foreign national is staying there without proper documentation or carrying out any suspicious activities, sources in the Special Branch of Mumbai police said.

Police have received intelligence inputs that terror suspects from neighbouring countries particularly from Pakistan and Afghanistan are believed to have sneaked into the city with an intention to carry out terror activities.

Home Ministry sources said these were routine checks as the intelligence inputs were trickling in now and again after Mumbai terror attacks.

Asked about the checks at hotels, Director General of Police A N Roy said, "We are doing everything to prevent terror attacks in the city and the state. We are taking precautions to ensure that New Year celebrations pass off peacefully." He refused to comment further.

Taking serious note of these intelligence inputs provided by State Intelligence Department, all police stations have been put on alert and asked to carry out patrolling and checks across the city.

Pakistan and Afghanistan nationals, who visit the city have to register with the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office within 24 hours of their arrival.

City police had also received several intelligence inputs about terrorists infiltrating into the city through various possible routes including sea before Mumbai terror attacks last year.