Countrywide security blanket ahead of I-Day celebrations

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) A tight security blanket was thrown
across India on the eve of Independence Day to thwart any
terror strike, even as an elaborate ground-to-air security
apparatus was put in place in the capital where Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the tricolour Monday.
With the Indian Home Ministry issuing a country-wide alert,
states tightened security at sensitive locations and
installations to pre-empt any terror attack.
Thousands of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were
deployed in and around the national capital, especially near
the Red Fort from where the Prime Minister will address the
nation.
"We have deployed personnel in abundance. We are not
taking any chance," a senior police official said.
In western Indian city Mumbai, the country's commercial
hub, the police stepped up vigil at local railway stations,
shopping malls, theatres, iconic Gateway of India, hotels like
Taj Mahal and Oberoi, Mantralaya and Bombay High Court.
Additional deployment of security forces has been made in
north Indian state Jammu and Kashmir in view of terror alert
issued by the Home Ministry about possibility of militants
carrying out attacks.
A three-tier security blanket has been thrown around Bakshi
Stadium, the main venue of the Independence day function in
Srinagar, and other venues in the Valley been been tightened.
Troops along the Line of Control (LoC) have been directed
to remain vigilant as army apprehends that militants might try
to infiltrate and carry out attacks on security forces and
civilians.
Meanwhile, both factions of Hurriyat Conference have given
a call for a general strike Monday.

Around 40 CCTVs have been installed in and around the Red
Fort to ensure incident-free celebrations while sharpshooters
of the National Security Guards (NSG) will be deployed on
high-rises near the 17th century Mughal monument.
According to a senior police official, specialised units
like Quick Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra are being deployed.
An intense vigil will also be maintained on key
installations like Indian Parliament complex, international
airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro
stations.
Besides patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air
defence mechanism will be in place around the venue to thwart
any terror attack.
The Delhi Police has intensified checking at all border
points, the official said.
To check terrorist activities and ward off smugglers,
special vigil was being maintained along the porous Indo-
Nepal border, Lalit Kumar, commandant of the Shashastra Seema
Bal, which guards the border, said.
He said four dog squads trained in detecting narcotics and
arms have also been deployed to check infiltration and two
close circuit cameras have been set up at vantage points.
Heavy security has also been put in place across Punjab,
Haryana and Chandigarh.
Strict vigil is being maintained at key railway stations
and additional police personnel have been deployed in and
around the inter-state bus terminus.
In view of Lashkar-e-Taiba threat, security has been
beefed up in Uttarakhand, a senior police official said.
A letter purportedly sent by the LeT threatened to blow up
vital installations at certain places.
Security arrangements have been tightened along the Indo-
Pak international border in Rajasthan, Border Security Force
(BSF) sources said.