Kolkata, Nov 5 (Express) : Security has been stepped up at the Kolkata Port following a terror strike warning. Two naval ships, docked at the port for the ongoing Navy Week celebrations, were withdrawn even as the defence ministry said the move had nothing to with terror threat.

According to sources, an intelligence input warning of a terror attack at the port was received by the Kolkata Police Monday. The input also stated, according to sources, that “the terrorists might be supported by some elements of Pakistan navy in carrying out the attack on the port”. Senior officials of the CISF, the Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Port held a meeting on Tuesday.

“We have received a message from the Union Home Ministry. Accordingly, we have taken all measures of protection and security has been stepped up,” said Kolkata Port Trust chairman R P S Kahlon, adding the Naval Week would continue in the port area.

Meanwhile, two visiting naval warships, INS Khukri and INS Sumitra, docked at the port since Monday for public viewing, were sent back to the sea. The two ships were supposed to be docked at the port till November 6 as part of the Naval Week celebrations.

A defence ministry press release, however, said the two visiting warships, which had berthed at Kidderpore on Monday, sailed out “within hours of a recall to the sea for undisclosed ‘operational reasons’ on orders by Eastern Naval Command HQ today”.

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