Security beefed up for 2nd anniversary of 26/11

The country was on Thursday put on high alert with additional forces being deployed at public places, especially in Maharashtra and Delhi, on the eve of the second anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack.

In Mumbai, Home Minister P Chidambaram will lead Mumbaikars at a commemoration function in memory of the 166 persons killed during the 60-hour siege.

With the security preparedness to deal with the November 26, 2008 attack raising questions, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said the country was "now much better prepared" to tackle Mumbai-type strikes.

"The Armed Forces were prepared then (26/11) and even now there is no change (in readiness). But as a country, we are now much better prepared (to tackle Mumbai-type terror strikes)," Naik told mediapersons in New Delhi.

The Union Home Ministry has asked states and Union Territories, particularly Maharashtra and Delhi, to deploy additional forces in markets, religious and other public places to thwart any attempts by militants to strike.

The Centre has also asked authorities to install a sizeable number of CCTV cameras, metal detectors and other electronics gadgets in crowded places to monitor movement of people and keep a watch of those moving in suspicious circumstances, an official said in New Delhi.

Special instructions have also been given to beef up security along the country's coastline as the ten Pakistani terrorists who had carried out the carnage had come to Mumbai taking the sea route.

The lone surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab has been sentenced to death in connection with 26/11 attacks in which two luxury hotels -- the iconic Taj and the Oberoi Trident -- were also targeted.

Last fortnight, a Western intelligence agency had informed New Delhi that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba may launch spectacular strikes in crowded places in Mumbai, similar to 26/11.

Another intelligence input had suggested that Kashmiri terror outfits may strike in three markets, including popular underground market Palika Bazar, in Delhi.

In Mumbai, Chidambaram will be joined by Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at a commemoration function, to be held at the CNG filling station in suburban Borivli.

P Unnikrishnan, father of slain NSG officer Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who is riding a cycle from India Gate at Delhi, will join a peace march to the Gateway of India.

A candle-lit silent prayer rally will be organised by the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan and family members of 26/11 victims, from Cama Hospital lane to St Xavier's college in South Mumbai.

The Indo-American Society has organised a meeting with terror attack survivors Charles Cannon and Kia Scherr from One Life Alliance.

At the CST railway station, there will be a commemoration service for the terror victims, a railway official said. A wreath will be laid in memory of the 166 people killed in the carnage.