New Delhi: Delhi has been put on high alert following an alert from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) of a possible terrorist strike in the national capital ahead of Independence Day, police sources said on Friday. The IB has written a letter to Delhi police about a specific threat to the national capital.

"We have received a letter from IB about a threat from a terrorist outfit ahead of Aug 15," a source said. "Delhi has been put on high alert and security has been beefed up in markets, crowded places, high rise buildings and government offices following the alert," the source said.

According to police sources, IB alerted Delhi police for the possible terror strike in the national capital after a speech delivered by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, chief of the banned group Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a few months ago in Karachi calling for jihad. "Saeed called for jihad across India and told LeT to strike in Delhi," said a source. "Intelligence agencies quoted Saeed's speech in its alert to Delhi police," said another source.

"All the neighbouring states have also been alerted and security has been beefed up at border check posts, railway stations, metro and all interstate bus terminus to avoid any unprecedented activity," said a senior Delhi police officer. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has reportedly called for an attack on a famous monument in the national capital. According to reports, the security has been stepped up in the city following the threat.

Meanwhile, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday expressed concern over an Intelligence Bureau (IB) warning of a possible terror strike in the national capital ahead of 67th Independence Day. BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said not just Delhi, but the entire country is on the target.