India wrapped in security blanket on eve of 63rd I'day

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Security personnel were out in
force and kept a tight vigil at vital installations, transport
terminals, markets and places of worship, especially here in
the national capital, on the eve of India's 63rd Independence
Day Friday when IEDs and bombs were recovered in Jammu region
and Assam.

Though there was no specific intelligence input of a
threat to the celebrations--the first after the Mumbai terror
attack, security forces and intelligence agencies were leaving
nothing to chance with terror groups, Left wing extremists or
insurgents in North-East having the potential to carry out
possible suicide terror strikes.

The area around the 17th century Red Fort here where
India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the national
tri-colour and address the nation from its ramparts has turned
into an impregnable fortess with gun-toting security personnel
guarding evey nook and corner of the area. All entry and exit
points to the walled city were also regulated.

In northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir, security
personnel recovered two Improvised Explosive Devices in Jammu
region prompting the security personnel to carryout repeated
checks.

A major disaster was averted in Assam with seizure of
seven powerful IEDs from Guwahati and another from Bongaigaon
district after intelligence inputs that United Liberation
Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland
(NDFB)activists might try to disrupt the celebrations.

The Indo-Nepal border has already been sealed by the
authorities and tight vigil is being maintained along the Line
of Control and International Border along Pakistan and
Bagladesh.

The area around the Red Fort where Singh will be
addressing the nation--the first during his second tenure--has
been completly sanitised by security and intelligence agencies
and the area will be a no-fly zone during the function.

Officials of Delhi Police, elite SPG and NSG along with
other security agencies carried out detailed recee of the
Red Fort area to thwart any attack.

Sharpshooters, dog squads, bomb disposal squads and
anti-aircraft and air defence guns have also be deployed and
put on high alert as part of security drill around the key
installations of the national capital.

Snipers of elite National Security Guards will also be
positioned on top of high-rise buildings in the old Delhi area
around the Red Fort and along the route taken by Prime
Minister and other VIPs to reach there.

The security agencies will also be maintaining tight
vigil around key installations here including Parliament
complex, Railway stations, bus-terminus, Indira Gandhi
International airport, and metro stations.

The borders of National capital will be sealed and tight
checking is already going on at all the entry points of the
national capital.

Outside the capital, security has also been tightened in
Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam
and other North-Eastern states.

Security agencies are also keeping a close watch on the
Indian maritime borders to counter any attempt of the
terrorists to use the sea route to enter the country.

Besides, patrolling by Sashastra Seema Bal and police
personnel has been enhanced along the porous Indo-Nepal border
to prevent Nepali Maoists from sneaking into the Indian
territory to disrupt the celebrations.

The security in 13-naxal affected eastern states
especially Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Orissa has been reviewed
and efforts have been made to plug all loopholes.

A vigil is being maintained to ensure that there is no
large grouping of naxal extremists anywhere.

A report from Guwahati said security has been put on
high alert throughout the state, which has witnessed attacks
on railways, oil refineries and vital installations almost
every year around Independence Day and Republic Day by ULFA in
support of its demand for sovereignty.

The Home Ministry advised the states to conduct searches
and regular screening at all exit and entry points of major
cities and keep a strict watch on anti-national elements.

Electronic surveillance has been increased and extra
security cover extended to all religious places in the capital
besides closing of air space for traffic. PTI ABS
DDC
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