Specific inputs on terror attack: Delhi police

A day after US warned of attacks by Al Qaeda in India, the Delhi police on Saturday said it has "specific intelligence inputs" that terror groups would try to carry out deadly strikes to subvert Independence Day celebrations in Delhi and has beefed up security measures.

In view of the "considerable escalation in threat perception", an unprecedented ground-to-air security apparatus has been put in place for the annual national event in Delhi to be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the entire top political and military leadership of the country. 

"We are already aware of that... Intelligence agencies have already indicated," Special Commissioner (Security) Ajay Chadha said when asked to comment on warnings given by the US about attacks by foreign militants in Delhi and in Mumbai.

Police have received a number of general inputs and "a few specific ones" about possible strikes in Delhi, and the Mumbai blasts and unearthing of a terror plot in London to blow up passenger aircraft have given credence to the intelligence reports, he added.

The inputs include terrorist plans to "target prominent political leaders and symbols of national importance," he added.

Keeping in mind the volatile situation, elaborate security arrangements have been made for Independence Day celebrations and Janmashtami festival and over 10,000 police personnel and commandoes of the ITBP and National Security Guards have been deployed in Delhi, he added.

A multi-tier security apparatus has been thrown in and around the historic Red Fort, from where the prime minister will address the nation, with special emphasis given on anti-sabotage and anti-explosive checks and tight access control measures.

Aerial surveillance by policemen in military helicopters, deployment of Air Defence Guns and positioning of Quick Reaction Teams on roof-tops in the vicinity of Red Fort are among the measures taken for ensuring a trouble-free function.

Delhi will be made a 'no-fly zone' during the function, expected to last for nearly 45 minutes, and trains passing near the venue will not be allowed since early morning till the function concludes.

A select group of over 500 Delhi policemen and commandoes from the paramilitary forces will exclusively guard the prime minister, providing him the second ring of protection, while he unfurls the national flag and addresses the nation.

Delhi police has mobilised its entire strength for the Independence Day function with specialised units like Special Cell and Crime Branch maintaining full security alert and vigil to prevent any possible terror strikes.

Besides Red Fort, security has been tightened at all sensitive areas in Delhi, vital places like the airport, Parliament and crowded places like railway stations, bus terminals, metro stations, markets and cinema houses.

Special arrangements have also been made at temples and places of religious functions for Janmashtami festival in coordination with various security agencies.

Metro stations will remain under tight vigil in view of the rail network emerging as a prime target for terrorists.

Apart from Delhi police personnel, commandoes of the ITBP and NSG would be deployed in strategic locations while there will be a special mobilisation of PCR vans and motorcycle squads for strenghtening security vigil around Red Fort and other sensitive places.

The Special Cell and local police are also maintaining a close watch over taxi stands, bus terminals, guest houses and other possible areas where terrorists could take shelter.

Delhi police is also in touch with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan and has tightened checking at all border points to prevent terrorists from sneaking into the capital.

Meanwhile, stringent security measures have been put in place at Delhi Airport, including deployment of NSG commandos around the tarmac and enhanced checking of passengers and their baggage.

All the guidelines issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security have been strictly implemented, Delhi International Airport Limited said in a release on Saturday.

No liquid items are being allowed on flights and no laptops are being permitted on UK-bound flights, it said.

In addition, a number of other steps are being taken that include dog squads doing the rounds of terminals and parking lots and plainclothes men checking for abnormal movement or behaviour.

Random check of vehicles is being carried out and hand baggage is also being randomly checked at passenger gate entry.

Other measures include frisking of passengers and secondary ladder point check.

Senior officials from the police and CISF are personally supervising the security initiatives, the airport statement said.

DIAL, a private consortia, has also convened a meeting of airlines officials, security agencies and operations people to appraise and sensitise on preparedness.