Independence Day celebrations: Strict vigil in capital

Gun-totting security personnel roamed Delhi's streets today keeping a hawk-eye vigil to pre-empt any terrorist strike on Independence Day.

An impregnable ground-to-air security apparatus was in place in the capital, especially near Red Fort where prime minister Manmohan Singh unfurled the tri-colour and addressed the nation for sixth consecutive time.

Though there is no specific intelligence input about a possible terror strike, security agencies are leaving no stone unturned to ensure incident-free Independence Day celebrations.

"Elaborate security arrangements have been made. Personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary have been deployed for security," a senior police official said.

Around 40 CCTVs have been installed in and around the Red Fort to ensure peaceful celebrations while sharpshooters of the NSG have been deployed on the high-rises near the 17th century Mughal monument.

Besides the Red Fort, the official said, intense vigil were being maintained on key installations like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

"The localities around the Red Fort have been sanitised and informers have been deployed to keep a check on any movement of anti-national elements," the official said, adding specialised units like Quick Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra have been deployed.

A no-fly zone was put in place around the Red Fort for the nearly 90-minute function.

Besides patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air defence mechanism was also kept in readiness around the venue to thwart any terror attacks.

Delhi Police carried out intensive checks at all the border points.

There was, however, no sealing of borders this time. "We conducted random checking at borders so that there were no long queues at the borders," the official said.