India on terror alert as millions celebrate

Police in the Indian capital New Delhi were on high alert today as millions of people celebrated an ancient Hindu festival under the shadow of renewed terrorist violence.

Delhi’s police chief RS Gupta cancelled all leave after two armed gunmen were killed in a shoot-out at a crowded shopping mall last night.

“Commandos from the National Security Guard will patrol the streets while armed police will be stationed at places where people gather,” Gupta said.

Police armed with automatic weapons patrolled crowded markets as people shopped for sweets and fireworks for the festival.

Worshippers were frisked before being allowed into the hundreds of temples that dot the city when they went to offer special Diwali prayers.

Hindus set off fireworks and light lamps during Diwali, a festival that celebrates the victory of Rama, the most revered Hindu deity, over the demon king Ravana.

Police were tipped off that Islamic militants demanding independence for the Indian-controlled part of the disputed Himalayan province of Kashmir would target shopping malls or crowded areas during the Diwali festival.

Police said the two men who were killed in the mall’s underground car park were suspected members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba group.