Capital steps up security ahead of Independence Day

The Delhi Police has put the Capital on high alert in the run-up to Independence Day and put up posters of 19 most-wanted terrorists across the city. The terrorists are linked to the Indian Mujahideen, Al-Qaeda, and several Khalistani groups.

This is part of the usual security steps taken before August 15 to raise public awareness and ask for help in finding people seen as threats. Officials say this is a required safety step taken every year before big national events. The posters, which show identification details and mugshots, have been put up in markets, railway stations, bus terminals, metro stations, and other crowded places.

Police are offering rewards for credible information to help locate these suspects and promise to keep informants’ identities confidential. People are asked to call the police control room at 112 or the Special Cell right away if they recognise anyone or have useful information.

Those from the Indian Mujahideen list include Riyaz Bhatkal and Shabandri Mohammad Iqbal (also called Iqbal Bhatkal). Al-Qaeda suspects named are Mohammad Sharjeel Akhtar, Abu Sufiyan, and Syed Mohammad Arshiyan.

For the Khalistani groups, the posters show Ranjit Singh (Neeta) and Paramjit Singh Pamma from the Khalistan Zindabad Force, Arshdeep Singh (Arsh Dala) from the Khalistan Tiger Force, and Harvinder Singh Sandhu (Rinda), Wadhawa Singh Babbar, and Gurmeet Singh Bagga from Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The remaining 19 are other operatives.

The Red Fort, where the main Independence Day event happens, has been put under a heavy security blanket. About 15,000 to 20,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary staff will be on duty for August 15. Over 1,000 CCTV cameras with AI video analytics have been set up at the Red Fort and other key spots for real-time monitoring, crowd control, and quick detection of suspicious activity. The security plan also includes facial recognition, anti-drone systems, snipers, and bans on kite and drone flying.

This year, there will also be random fingerprint checks using the Abhigyan app, which has a database of over one crore criminal records, and more surveillance at transport hubs and Government buildings.