The Hindu : National : Tight security in Delhi

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Monday, Aug 15, 2005

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National

Tight security in Delhi

Staff Reporter

Intelligence alert on possible terrorist attack

FINAL TOUCHES: The bullet-proof glass podium at the Red Fort in Delhi from where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the nation on Independence Day. — Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

NEW DELHI: : In view of intelligence inputs of a possible terrorist strike, the Delhi police have made elaborate security arrangements in coordination with the paramilitary forces for the Independence Day celebrations in the Capital on Monday.

The area surrounding the historic Red Fort, from where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the Tricolour on Monday morning, has been turned into a virtual fortress. While there is heavy police presence around the venue, metal detectors have been placed at the entrance gates to scan visitors to the function.

Anti-aircraft guns have been installed at strategic locations. The police have taken the assistance of the Air Force to carry out air surveillance. Quick reaction teams comprising commandos have been deployed at various pockets and snipers posted atop high-rise buildings near the Red Fort.

The recently installed high-resolution and closed-circuit cameras are also being used for surveillance.

As part of anti-sabotage search operations, the police are combing vital installations, guesthouses and hotels in the Walled City area and other parts of the Capital. Metro Rail stations and busy market places are also being searched.

The Police Control Room staff and the local police have been asked to intensify patrolling. Barricades have also been erected on city roads to check the vehicles, especially those coming from outside.

As part of the arrangements, entry to the visitors' lounge at the domestic and the international terminals of the Indira Gandhi International Airport here has been banned for the past few days and there is a heavy deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force personnel inside the airport complex. Photographs and sketches of wanted terrorists have also been pasted on the walls.

"We are not taking any chances. The entire police force has been put on alert and raids are being conducted at suspected terrorist hideouts across Delhi," said a senior police officer.

The intelligence agencies had earlier tipped off the police about organisations such as the Babbar Khalsa International, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad trying to cause disturbances during the Independence Day celebrations.

For the past one month, the police have been carrying out tenant verification drives in the Capital and they have also asked car dealers to check the antecedents of those who come to buy vehicles.

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