Chandigarh, April 16: Security agencies are on high alert and carrying out search operation in the border belt of Punjab, particularly in the frontier districts of Pathankot and nearby areas, on Monday after two suspected terrorists were seen in the area.
The Punjab Police, Army and paramilitary forces launched the search operation after the two suspected armed men in Army fatigues were seen near the border belt of Bamyal sector, bordering Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir.
Pathankot district police chief Vikas Sheel Soni told the media that the security agencies had launched a search operation in the border belt.
The suspected men stopped a Maruti Alto car belonging to Maskin Ali late on Sunday night and sought a lift. However, Ali and his friend sped away, suspecting that they could be terrorists.
Ali informed the Punjab Police following which the search operation was launched on Monday morning.
Security agencies in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir have also been alerted about the movement of the suspects.
The Pathankot air base of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was attacked by terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, on January 2, 2016, leaving seven people dead.
The area has defence establishments, including the frontier IAF base and the nearby Mamoon Cantt of the Army.
Prior to the terrorist attack on the IAF base, three suspected Pakistani terrorists had carried out an attack in Dinanagar town in neighbouring Gurdaspur district on July 27, 2015.
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Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
