Puri: A team from the National Security Guard (NSG) on Wednesday carried out a reconnaissance of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri to take stock of the facilities and security build up at the world-famous shrine.

As per reports, a three-member team of the NSG along with a team of a special tactical unit of State Police conducted the mock drill at the 12th-century shrine on Wednesday morning.

The exercise is a part of the elite commando unit’s security inspection at major pilgrimages and other sensitive places across the country with an aim to pre-empt any possible sabotage attempt by terrorists.

“The NSG team inspected the security features at vantage points and angles in the temple. A report in this regard will be submitted to the Union Home Department following which appropriate steps will to taken to further tighten and bolster security arrangements at the temple if required,” said Puri Collector Samarth Verma on the NSG recce. “The NSG team is holding discussions with the district administration and whatever information they require, it will be provided to them,” added the district collector.

It is the first such reconnaissance made by the NSG at Puri after the demolition of structures around the shrine for the ongoing Shree Jagannath Heritage and Security Corridor project.

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