Kanwar yatra: Security strengthened in Gzb

Ghaziabad, Jul 19 (PTI) The Ghaziabad Police today said security has been strengthened for the ongoing Kanwar yatra with SWAT (special weapons and tactics) teams and bomb squads pressed into service i

Ghaziabad, Jul 19 (PTI) The Ghaziabad Police today said security has been strengthened for the ongoing Kanwar yatra with SWAT (special weapons and tactics) teams and bomb squads pressed into service in the district.

The Uttar Pradesh government has already declared a high alert in the state after the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir and the police has been directed to be extra vigilant during the yatra, city SP (superintendent of police), Akash Tomar said.

Quick response teams have also been formed to deal with contingencies, he said.

Commandos, SWAT teams, and bomb disposal squads, equipped with sophisticated automatic weapons, have been deployed along with sniffer dogs, Tomar said.

The SP said security has been tightened as the number of Kanwarias has swelled considerably.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.