Tight security in Delhi ahead of Republic Day

New Delhi/ J-K, Jan 25 : Security has been beefed up in the national capital ahead of the Republic Day as police and security personnel are carrying out stringent checks to avoid any untoward activity.

Around 15,000 security personnel have been deployed in the wake of intelligence inputs that some terrorists may sneak into the city to strike during the celebrations.

According to a senior police official, anti-sabotage and anti-explosive checks have been intensified, especially on the route of the parade. Sharpshooters of paramilitary forces will be deployed on Rajpath as well as on other locations in Lutyen's Delhi. Mobile-hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and snipers will also be pressed into service, the official said. While patrolling in crowded market areas has been intensified, checking and frisking in metro, railway stations and bus terminals have been increased. Security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport has also been strengthened. Meanwhile, police arrested two rebels allegedly belonging to outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, with eight kilograms of RDX in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag District.

The police also recovered two mobile phones and two circuits from the militants.

According to police, the two arrested militants, Jaan Mohammed and Khursheed, had planned a series of blasts on the occasion of Republic Day.

" Both had planned several blasts in the city around January 26 which was averted in time. In September, the police had come to know about the conspiracy plotted by the militants. We made investigations with the result that now the catastrophe was successfully averted," said S. M. Sahai, Inspector General of Police.

ANI