Security upped at Red Fort ahead of I-Day

After a tip-off about a possible airstrike on Independence day celebrations on Saturday, police in Delhi heightened security with anti-aircraft systems and hundreds of cameras at Delhi's Red Fort.

New Delhi: As India prepares to celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, security agencies have received threats of a possible airstrike on Delhi's Red Fort, according to reports.

Delhi police have installed anti-aircraft systems which can alert about suspicious objects in the air within a five-kilometre radius, reports said.

Independence Day terror alert: Centre beefs up security in view of airstrike threat at Red Fort

The intel also said after the groundbreaking ceremony for Ram temple in Ayodhya, many threats have been received in different parts of the country stating that terrorist organizations may strike on Independence Day. The Delhi police were informed that this time the attacks can be from the air.

The airspace over Red Fort has been declared a no-fly zone, according to reports.

Anti-aircraft systems and snipers have been deployed on buildings in a 5 km radius from the Red Fort. The systems will alert the police about any suspicious air movements in the area.

According to the police officials, more than five thousand security personnel will be deployed in and around the Red Fort. Besides, more than 300 CCTV cameras have also been installed.

Apart from the police, commandos of paramilitary forces, NSG and SPG will also be deployed.

On 24 July, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for the Independence Day celebrations at Delhi's Red Fort and said, "...while organising various programmes on Independence Day, it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, proper sanitisation, avoiding large congregations and protecting vulnerable people, etc."

Every year, a cultural programme in which children perform is organised on Independence Day, but it will not be organised this year.

"More than 2,000 children from various schools used to perform and stand in National Flag formation at the Red Fort ground. The event will either be limited to a few students or cancelled, " a police source said.

As part of the additional crowd-regulating restrictions, the two grounds on either side of the Red Fort, which are usually open to the public, will also remain closed.