5-tier security cordon to CCTV cameras, Delhi prepares for I-Day

[Zarvan]

A BSF jawan takes position outside the Red Fort on Wednesday. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

An impregnable ground-to-air security apparatus is being put in place at the Red Fort to pre-empt any terrorist strikes during the 69th Independence Day celebrations as intelligence inputs have warned of possible Gurdaspur-like attacks.

A five-tier security cordon will be placed around the Mughal-era monument where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the Tricolour and address the nation for the second time on Saturday.

As intelligence agencies have already warned that Modi is at greater risk than any other VVIP in the country, security agencies will for the first time position 200 specially trained NSG, SWAT and BSF commandos in a 500-metre radius from the ramparts of the fort.

The special commandos will be equipped with fully automatic Beretta assault rifles, high-tech communication gadgets, body armour, protective helmets, knee pads and gloves, etc.

Read: Security beefed up in Capital ahead of Independence Day

“The special commandos have expertise in neutralising suspects by firing from multi-body positions,” a senior police officer said.

Security agencies are using satellite imagery to map the area around the Red Fort to check all high-rises and a no-fly zone will be enforced over Delhi during the function. Full security measures are in place 48 hours before the function.

Two ultra high-resolution cameras will be mounted at the two burjs (towers) of the fort to keep tabs on any suspicious activity within a 5-km radius of the historic monument.

More than 100 specially designed metal detectors will be put in place for the first time in and around the venue. These high-tech metal detectors can detect any metal, be it weapons or binoculars, pointing towards the Red Fort from anywhere within 1-km radius.

Since Modi became prime minister, the number of metal detectors has been increased to ensure smooth movement so that more common people can listen to his speech.

Nearly 6,000 security personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary forces will be deployed around the venue and on routes to be taken by VVIPs and the PM’s motorcade from his residence to the Red Fort.

Over 300 CCTV cameras have been installed in the vicinity of the venue and another 700 are being installed on every alternate street light pole on all routes leading to the venue. A central control room has been set up at the Red Fort where senior officials will constantly monitor the situation.

A senior police officer told HT the localities around the Red Fort were sanitised and informers deployed to keep a check on any movement of anti-national elements.

Parcel facilities at all railway stations in Delhi have been withdrawn from August 13 to 15.

5-tier security cordon to CCTV cameras, Delhi prepares for I-Day