Following the arrest of suspected terrorists in Lucknow, police have beefed up security at important places in Mathura. Police teams are also monitoring the movement of people on the Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Delhi Highway.

Security has been heightened in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura after the arrest of two operatives of the al-Qaeda-linked Ansar Ghazwatul Hind in Lucknow, police said on Monday.

The two operatives were allegedly planning to attack several places across Uttar Pradesh.

A senior officer told news agency PTI that the Mathura police have beefed up security at all significant places, including Shri Krishna Janmasthan and Thakur Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan.

A team of National Security Guards (NSG) closely inspected the security arrangements of Thakur Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, the official added.

“The security arrangements at all important places are being reviewed and efforts are being made to ensure that there is no lapse of any kind anywhere. The security at all important places, including Shri Krishna Janmasthan complex, and oil refineries has been increased,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover was quoted as saying.

Special police teams are also monitoring the movement of people on the Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Delhi Highway, as well as the towns of Vrindavan, Govardhan, and Barsana, police said.

Terror Module Busted

The alleged plot was uncovered on Sunday when the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) raided two addresses in Lucknow and arrested two people.

The two men were identified as Maseeruddin and Minhaz, both "active members" of 'Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind', an outfit with strong links to al-Qaeda.

They were planning to unleash terror activities on Independence Day (August 15) in different cities, including Lucknow, Mathura, Varanasi, and Ayodhya among others, officials said.