Security agencies have sounded a red alert in the national Capital and its adjoining areas as there is a serious threat to the Independence Day celebrations. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi enters the ramparts of historic Red Fort to address the nation, there will be a seven-tier security. Delhi Police and security agencies have put in an impregnable security apparatus at place. Snipers of National Security Guard (NSG), central security forces are being deployed on rooftops to maintain vigil on any suspicious flying object. Each and every rooftop in the vicinity of the Red Fort will be manned and there will be watertight security in place.
The route taken by the Prime Minister to reach the Red Fort will be manned by air surveillance as helicopter gunship will fly over to keep an eye on any suspicious movement, source said. Agencies have verified the antecedents of all those who will be on duty in and around the Red Fort on Tuesday when Prime Minister will address the nation from the ramparts of historical Mughal era structure. Special attention has been accorded to ensure those who were leave for over three months or so are not posted on the all important national celebration at the Red Fort.
Over 200 specially trained personnel will man the proximate security cover around the Prime Minister other than the Special Protection Group (SPG), central security forces and the Delhi Police.
Delhi Police in concert with security agencies have put a stringent ground to air security mechanism at place. Special vigil is being maintained on stations and bus stops to see who all are coming to Delhi. An intense vigil will also be maintained on key installations like Parliament complex, North and South Block, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.
Security agencies have taken measures to cover all possible space from ground to the sky. Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets will be on alert to fly at a short notice of two minutes in the event of an emergency, a senior Delhi Police officer said on Sunday. New Delhi, Central Delhi and North Delhi have been declared no-fly zones and radars have been stationed at key places to keep an eye on any Unidentified Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Anti-Aircraft guns will be ready to fire in case any intrusion is noticed in the sky, an official added.
The level of security for the Independence Day celebrations could be judged from the fact that Delhi Police has conducted a survey of all drains that pass through Central and North Delhi. Police have put stickers on every drain to ensure that all entry points are sealed. Every hotel and guest house has been put under surveillance and spotters have fanned out across the city to keep an eye on any suspicious movement. Market associations and municipal bodies have been told to cover every dustbin as there are intelligence reports that terror groups could use the same for launching an attack.
Some 150 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on and around roads leading to the Red Fort have been installed. Turbo cameras installed at Chhatta Rail crossing with a zooming capacity of five to seven kilometers will keep a hawk eye on any suspicious movement, a Delhi Police officer said. Apart from the eyes in the skies, Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams will be deployed on Monday and we will use helicopters to counter attacks, the officer added. Security agencies are constantly reviewing arrangements at the Red Fort and have zeroed in on the 'safe houses' where the Prime Minister and other leaders should be taken to in case of a terrorist strike.
More than 10,000 Delhi Police personnel have been deployed in and around the Red Fort and surrounding areas along with snipers, Army and National Security Guard (NSG) commandos to make the area attack-proof. Police forces of neighbouring districts too have been asked to keep an eye on the border movements and take adequate actions in the event of any misadventure.