Security heightened as nation gears up for I-Day

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) Security across the nation was raised to unprecedented levels today and safety measures around airports, monuments and vital installations reinforced in the run-up to the 60th Independence Day.

Alarmed by the recent terror strikes in Mumbai, aborted 'Bojinka' plot in London and the US advisory that foreign terrorists plan to carry out a series of bomb attacks in India, foolproof security measures have been put in place across the country. Hundreds of security personnel fanned out to potential terror targets, vigil was intensified and special measures were put in place at all vital installations specially airports.

Special security measures were also made at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Kalapakkam nuclear plant. In addition to BARC security, Central Industrial Security Force and Mumbai Police, NSG commandos will provide a multi-layer security to the Centre. Meanwhile, the army has taken over the security at the Kalapakkam atomic power complex and deployed anti-aircraft guns to neutralise any possible air strike.

The Delhi Police has drawn 'molecular and targetted' contingency plans to ensure that the national capital remains ''incident-free'' during Independence Day and Janmashtami.

According to Special Commissioner (Security) Ajay Chaddha, commandos from the Delhi Police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Security Guard and other personnel, to be deployed, have been sensitised on the 'new threat perceptions' and specially trained to handle terror contingencies.

''The air space in and around the Lal Qila would be a 'no-fly zone' from early morning till the function gets over on August 15.

Suitable air defence measures with the help of the Indian Air Force have been put in place to foil any designs to disrupt the I-Day functions through aerial routes,'' he said.

A slew of special traffic arrangements around Red Fort have also been announced.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sounded a terror alert across the state and put in place massive security arrangements to thwart any attempts by militants to carry out strikes ahead of the Independence Day.

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