Chandigarh: A high alert has been sounded after intelligence inputs suggested that terror groups, including Khalistani hardliners, could target BJP, RSS offices in Punjab.

Keeping the alert in mind, Punjab Police has now decided to beef up the security in and around the religious places, BJP and RSS offices in the state. The officials said that the high alert would be effective till the end of September.

This comes after Punjab Police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from a village located close to India-Pakistan border in Amritsar and a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It must be mentioned that there are some outlawed Khalistani groups, like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who have openly issued threats to Punjab Chief Minister, DGP Punjab besides chief ministers of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Haryana . All of them have been threatened of dire consequences if they 'dared' to 'hoist the tricolour'.

Apart from raising many other concerns, Captain Amrinder Singh has also informed the Central government that drones flying across the border, besides the resentment among the farming community, is posing a big threat to the security of Punjab as well as the country.

"The stir had the potential of posing security threats to Punjab and the country with Pakistan-backed anti-India forces looking to exploit the farmer's disgruntlement with the government," the Punjab chief minister said in a statement.

Director general of Punjab Police Dinkar Gupta said a special security plan is underway for border districts and sensitive areas to ensure safety and security of all the communities. Gupta has also directed the SSP concerned to review the security arrangements keeping in view the Independence Day celebrations.

The special security arrangements will be finalized after a joint meeting with the senior police officers of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh.

Punjab DGP office on Wednesday has asked Amritsar, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Ludhiana, Fazilka, Ferozpur ,Patiala ,Bhatinda ,Phagwara and Moga SSPs to step up vigil.

Cops in these districts have already barricaded important roads and the vehicles coming from other districts and states are being checked for security purposes. Flag marches have also been conducted by the police in various districts.

Agencies