Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Monday said it has taken "seriously" the announcement by al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri on the creation of a terror wing in the Indian subcontinent.
"We are taking the threat very seriously and are concerned, and we are closely working with central agencies to chalk out modalities and be prepared," Home Minister Roshan Warjri told journalists.
He, however, said there were no reports from the state intelligence of the international terror network setting its base in Meghalaya.
"As of now, there is no state intelligence of the international terror network setting its base in the state, but nothing is being left to chances," she said.
A Meghalaya Police official said all district police chiefs, especially those in the areas bordering Bangladesh, have been asked to be extra vigilant and the local intelligence units have been sensitised on the new threat perception.
Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced, and prone to frequent infiltration.
Earlier, Chief Secretary PBO Warjri chaired a meeting with top police officials after the union home ministry issued a security alert to all states to take possible precautionary steps.
He said the government was keeping a close watch on the possibilities of Meghalaya-based militant outfits joining hands with the al-Qaeda.
