Vigil along the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu has been beefed up following a terror alert from the Intelligence Bureau warning of an attack by Pakistan-based terrorists, who reportedly have plans to infiltrate South India through Sri Lankan waters.
Police sources said the Intelligence Bureau had warned the State of a possible infiltration bid by eight terrorists.
The militants who might enlist the help of Sri Lankan fishermen have plans to attack either Madurai or Mayiladurai in the next few months.
They have also planned to gain entry through Kerala if their route through Tamil Nadu fails.
A top police official said they had received the alert a few months back and added that security had been tightened with 24 boats belonging to the Coastal Security Group on full-time patrolling along with Navy and Coast Guard.
Policemen from 12 marine police stations are also guarding the shores and 20 new boats have been deployed on patrolling duty along the 1076-kilometre coastal stretch in Tamil Nadu.Fishermen associations and vigilance committees in villages will also be on high alert and security and safety reports have been prepared and sent to the district police, sources said.
They added that fishermen have been asked to sail in groups with their ID cards and GPS systems and told to inform the police about any movement of suspicious boats at sea. Sources further said that a heavy posse of police personnel have been deployed in temples in southern districts, including Madurai.