Ground-to-air security ahead of Independence Day

New Delhi/Guwahati, Aug 13 (ANI): With India getting set to celebrate its 62nd Independence Day, the Central and Delhi State Governments have pulled out all steps to ensure that the event is santizied from a security point of view.

Following intelligence inputs that terror outfits have plans to target the Indian capital on August 15, over 60,000 officers of the Delhi Police, Special Cell, Crime Branch, Special Branch and around 35 paramilitary companies will be deployed in and around the city.

It is expected that around 6,000 police officers will be deployed near Red Fort.

Forty CCTV cameras have been installed in and around the Red Fort, while sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) will man buildings and rooftops near the historic monument.

Intelligence agencies have also reportedly identified 'safety houses' where the Prime Minister and other VIPs can be taken in the event of a terror strike.

Quick Reaction Teams, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Vajra (of the Rapid Action Force) are also being deployed for the ocassion.

Informers have been deployed to look out for suspect anti-national elements, police sources said.

The entire area over Red Fort will be declared a no-fly zone during the function. Airspace would be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Security has been tightened at the Parliament complex, IGI Airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

In other sensitive parts of the country like Jammu and Kashmir, and the northeastern states, security has been beefed up to counter possible terror or insurgent attacks.

In Guwahati, passengers are expected to be frisked at various checkpoints in the city.

Meanwhile, defying the boycott call, school students, NCC cadets and police personnel are busy preparing for the Independence Day parade.

"They are always giving calls to boycott Republic Day celebrations or Independence Day celebrations. But it is regularly celebrating Independence Day," said Anna Rai,a school teacher.

The students are also upbeat about participating in the parade.

Security has also been beefed up along the India-Bangladesh border in Siliguri.

The Border Security Force (BSF) is on a high alert and keeping a strict vigil along the borders.

Home Ministry officials have warned that the Lashkar-e-Taiba plans to target three major cities, including Delhi on Independence Day.

Kolkata and Hyderabad are the other two LeT targets. (ANI)