Security has been tightened in and around pilgrim town of Puri, where around 10 lakh devotees are expected to witness the car festival of Lord Jagannath on Sunday.

“Additional security forces will be deployed in the town following the high court’s direction,” said Odisha’s special director general of police Sanjeev Marik, who is supervising security arrangements for the car festival.

Though Marik denied that the state has received any threat from terrorist organisations, he admitted that the Centre had sent a general advisory to the state police to remain alert during the car festival. “We have taken precautionary measures for the safety and security of the pilgrims,” he said.

Earlier, director-general of police Prakash Mishra had ruled out any possible terrorist threat and advised people not to panic.

However, police sources said precautionary measures had been taken following receipt of information about terror threat to the 12th century temple and the holy town.

Two Indian Mujahideen operatives, who had been arrested by Delhi police in March, had reportedly admitted that Puri was their target and they had already visited Bhubaneswar and Puri to make an assessment.

Security of Puri has been a challenge for security forces in the wake of the 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai.

Puri superintendent of police Anup Kumar Sahu said the Coast Guard would take care of coastal security. Coast Guard vessels would patrol the sea off Puri coast and helicopters would be pressed into service for aerial surveillance.

Besides, anti-terrorist squads have been deployed along with sniffer dogs and bomb disposal units this time. CCTVs and binoculars have been installed at strategic locations. Rooftop sharp shooters have also been deployed, he said.

Two companies of Rapid Action Force and 104 platoons of armed security forces along with 1,000 state police officers and 2,000 home guards will be deployed in Puri during the event to maintain law and order and manage crowds.

The district and police authorities have also instructed the hotels, lodges and guesthouses to make identity proofs mandatory for guests.