Himachal on high alert as Indo-Pak tensions escalate

Shimla, Feb 27 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary B.K. Agarwal here on Wednesday reviewed the security in the wake of heightened tension between India and Pakistan and said the state had been put on high alert.Police had been asked to monitor spreading of any rumour by anti-social elements, he said."Officials of various departments of the state and the central governments participated in the review meeting," Agarwal said.All district police chiefs have been asked to beef up security to ensure safety of vital installations in their districts, especially in border areas, a police spokesperson told IANS.He said directions have also been issued to ensure safety of Kashmiri people. Earlier in the day, all three -- Dharamsala, Kullu and Shimla airports -- in the state were shut for commercial operations. But flights were later resumed, officials said.
--IANS vg/pg/pcj