Terror threat to Sriharikota Space Centre sparks alarm; police, CISF conduct searches, security upped

TIRUPATI: Indian space research organisation’s Satish Dhawan Space centre (SDSC-SHAR) at Sriharikota in Tirupati district has been put on a high alert following a terror threat call received at the police command control centre at Chennai. Following an alert about the presence of terrorists near SDSC-SHAR, CISF personnel along with the police personnel rushed from Nellore and Tirupati districts, carried out an extensive search operation inside the SHAR premises on Monday. Offices and employees quarters were also thoroughly screened.Police personnel also carried out an extensive combing operation in the forest area abutting the space centre. Extensive searches were also carried out at the fishermen colonies located close to Sriharikota.Meanwhile, Indian coast guard also remained on a high alert and carried out patrolling exercises along the sea-routes close to the SDSC-SHAR. Following hours long searches carried out at the SDSC-SHAR space centre, the CISF and police personnel arrived at a conclusion that the terror threat was a hoax call. However, security forces continued to remain on a high alert and intensified manual frisking and vehicular checks at the space centre throughout the day.