India tightens security along Pakistan

NEW DELHI, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- India asked security forces to step up the vigil along the border with Pakistan to avert any spillover effect following the imposition of emergency rule there.

The move is aimed at foiling the efforts of Islamist groups trying to sneak into India fearing a crackdown, an Interior Ministry official said.

He said the ministry asked the Border Security Force to bolster security along the 7,500-kilometer border ranging from Jammu & Kashmir to Gujarat covering Rajasthan and Punjab states.

According to a Border Security Force spokesman, the BSF instructed its personnel deployed along the western border to be on alert, keeping in view the developments in Pakistan. He did not rule out chances of Islamist elements trying to infiltrate into India in the wake of the new developments in Pakistan.

India has put in place elaborate security arrangements in the wake of the emergency rule imposed Saturday by Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.