Police will throw a security ring comprising 200 armed personnel around the Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara for the next 24 hours.

The move comes after the cops got a hoax call on the emergency number around 10am on Friday. The caller said there was a bomb on the gurdwara premises. However, no explosive was found. Investigations are on in the case.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vikas Vaibhav told The Telegraph that the police were taking no chances and there was a need for a permanent police base guarding the shrine and the area around it.

Vaibhav said: "In the recent past, the police have received several hoax calls and those are being investigated. Last morning, someone called the Dial 100 facility at the police headquarters and alerted us about the presence of an explosive device in the gurdwara. Security was beefed up immediately after the information came in, and the premise was checked. Thousands throng the shrine daily and it was decided that there should be a permanent police base guarding the area at all times."

Today, deputy inspector-general (central range) Shalin went to the gurdwara, inspected arrangements and suggested measures to the shrine committee to strengthen security. Baljeet Singh, superintendent of the committee, said that before the hoax call the gurdwara was guarded by six jawans of the special auxiliary police (SAP).

Singh said: "Forces have been increased after the phone call. We have closed three of the four gates of the gurdwara and the police are frisking those entering through the single gate. Hand-held and doorframe metal detectors have also been set up in front of all the gates. At present, there are around 15 CCTV cameras and the police have asked us to increase the number. Hence, we are in the process of buying more and soon there will be around 40 CCTV cameras all around the premises. All the gates of the gurdwara will be opened only after a proper review of the security arrangements."

Sources said in addition to armed guards, there will also be baton-wielding cops.

An officer said: "The armed forces can be from the SAP or from the Bihar Military Police (BMP). In addition, there will be a lathi (stick) party too. All of them will be working in eight-hour shifts and one inspector-rank officer will be in command of the force. Three assistant sub-inspector-rank officers will assist him. The security arrangements are important as the gurdwara is one of the holiest places for the Sikh community and thousands of visitors, including those from foreign countries, come here. The permanent deployment of forces will act as a deterrent for criminals. Special care will be taken to ensure that the devotees do not face any kind of."