The national capital was put under a massive ground-to-air security apparatus for the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.
NEW DELHI: The national capital was put under a massive ground-to-air security apparatus for the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday in the wake of intelligence warnings about possible terrorist strikes.
Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the elite National Security Guards have been deployed at various locations while paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos kept a tight vigil along the route of the Republic Day parade.
Around 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across the capital with commandos of the ITBP and Delhi Police positioned at strategic locations. Snipers were deployed at all high-rises along the parade route.
A multi-layer security ring was put in place at Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil will unfurl the tricolour and take the salute of marching contingents.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be the chief guest at the parade, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the country's top political and military brass.
"A special emphasis is being laid on anti-sabotage checks, access control measures and intelligence coordination. The entire route of the parade will be covered by special security and anti-terror arrangements," Joint Commissioner of
Police Qamar Ahmed said on Friday.
"Elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, have also been taken to check intrusion of air space," he added.
Besides the air defence measures, three choppers of the Indian Air Force will hover around Rajpath and all along the route of the parade.
The capital has been made a no-fly zone during the parade while metro trains passing near the main venue on the Rajpath will not be allowed to operate in the morning.
Delhi Police has launched special drives to check possible hideouts and shelters of terrorists and has conducted joint raids at several locations with UP and Haryana Police.
Patrolling in crowded market areas was intensified and checking and frisking in metro, railway stations and bus terminals tightened.
Security at the IGI airport was also strengthened in coordination with the CISF.
The capital's borders have been sealed from 11 pm last night to 1:30 pm on Saturday and vehicles entering into the city will be subjected to heavy screening and checking.
Checking and frisking have also been intensified at all entry points with police setting up barricades to keep a vigil on all those entering the capital.
All prominent market places have been brought under close circuit television (CCTV) cover and private security guards employed by various market associations asked to extend total cooperation to police in maintaining a tight vigil.
All property dealers and second-hand car dealers have been asked to furnish details about their recent deals and pass on information especially about customers from outside the state.
Cyber cafe owners have been directed to maintain the records of all e-mail users.
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