Unprecedented security cover in Odisha's Puri for Jagannath temple as India-Pakistan tensions escalate

BHUBANESWAR: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the Odisha Police on Friday placed the tourist destination Puri and the Jagannath Temple under unprecedented security cover. Armed police personnel took positions around the 12th-century shrine, which attracts lakhs of pilgrims annually and is considered among the potential high-risk targets in the country. On Tuesday, the National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a comprehensive security inspection at the iconic Jagannath Temple. The security audit focused particularly on anti-terror measures and crowd management during major festivals, including Rath Yatra, scheduled to be celebrated on 27 June. At least 240 police personnel have been deployed in and around the temple. Recently, the Odisha government accelerated the process of appointing officers for the newly raised Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV) at the Jagannath Temple. The SSMSV comprises 1,083 armed personnel, including 720 sepoys and 240 havildars, along with other ranked officers. The SSMSV will coordinate with the National Security Guard for regular anti-terror drills. Their responsibilities include managing crises, contingencies, and unexpected situations arising from terrorism, extremism, and hostage scenarios targeting the Jagannath Temple. "We are on full alert mode. Proper checking and frisking of devotees are being carried out. We urge them to cooperate with the police during this emergency situation. Anti-sabotage personnel are conducting regular checks around the temple. Security teams are continuously monitoring CCTV footage at the command centre," Puri SP, Vinit Agrawal, said. For tourist safety, police authorities have intensified inspections at hotels and accommodation facilities near the beach. Hotel operators have been advised to notify the police about suspicious guests and have been instructed to properly verify guests' identification documents. Security checkpoints have been established at Puri's entry and exit points for thorough vehicle inspections. "Patrolling has been intensified along the Puri coastline, and marine fishing communities are alerted to keep a hawk’s eye on vessels," a police official said.