Independence Day 2018: High security alert in Delhi

Security in the national capital has been beefed up ahead of the 72^nd Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday (August 15). The rampart of the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on Independence Day has been put under a high security cover, a police official said.

Close to nearly 70,000 Delhi Police personnel and about 90 companies of security forces with nearly 10,000 security personnel are guarding the Red Fort and its surrounding areas within a five km radius, the officials said.

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Around 500 high definition CCTV cameras and over 200 closed-circuit televisions have been installed in and around the Red Fort. In addition, anti-aircraft and anti-drone guns have been deployed in the surrounding areas of the main celebration venue, the officials said.

To avoid anti-social elements and militants threat and for the safety of the people, flying of aerial vehicles likes quadcopters, paragliders, and hot-air balloons have been banned in Delhi on the I-Day, police said.

In wake of the recent attack on JNU student leader Umar Khalid near Parliament House and an intelligence alert on possible terror attacks, around 47,000 armed forces have been deployed in and around the national capital to ensure safe celebrations and to avoid any unforeseen incidents, police said.

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Officials also said that all neighbouring areas have been alerted and heavy security measures installed on Delhi borders. Moreover, police were thoroughly monitoring the roads and vehicular movements.

Besides Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and National Security Guard, 36 women personnel of the Delhi Police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit have also been deployed at the venue.

After IB alerts on possible terror attacks, the railway police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have also reinforced security arrangements at railway stations. The railway police have also intensified checking at the stations as well as in moving trains, said the officials.

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According to a statement by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, metro services will run as usual. However, owing to security measures, some of the metro stations like Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and ITO will have restricted entry and exit during the ceremony.