Crowded areas under police scanner in Delhi

''Delhi police are not just concentrating on markets and malls in the national capital, but we are also keeping strict vigil on all crowded areas as it's a weekend,'' Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.

“Additional police forces are being deployed in all the market areas like Connaught Place, Mehrauli, Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk. Even big malls in and around the city have been alerted on security checks,” he said.

Now Canada warns
Canada has joined US and Australia in warning their citizens who may be travelling to India about a threat of an imminent terrorist attack in the capital New Delhi.

In an email circulated yesterday to registered Canadians living in India, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said, "while there is a continuing threat of terrorist attacks throughout India at all times, credible and specific reporting indicates that a terrorist attack could be carried in the following days or weeks, in market areas of Delhi frequented by foreigners."

The travel advisory was the third sent out in recent days and warns travellers to avoid New Delhi's popular Chandni Chowk area in Old Delhi.

"We advise to exercise a high degree of caution, to monitor your surroundings and to minimise your presence in market areas of the city," the advisory said.

New Delhi has been relatively safe over the past year and a half.

The advisory also comes as India and Pakistan attempt to normalise diplomatic ties. This week both the south Asian neighbours agreed to schedule meetings between foreign ministers.

Soon after the terror alert, the Delhi Police appealed to the public to be vigilant. "If any suspicious object, person or vehicle is noticed, information should be passed on immediately to the nearest police station, or the public can call up toll free number - 1090," Delhi Police spokesman Bhagat said.