Security beefed up along border areas ahead of Independence Day

Srinagar/Agartala/Guwahati/Patna/New Delhi, Aug 14 (ANI): Authorities along border areas have taken extra precautions ahead of the Independence Day to thwart any attempts to disrupt the celebrations.

In Srinagar, numerous police and paramilitary personnel are keeping strict vigilance over the city.

Going by the increase in number of infiltration attempts in the recent past, extra care is being taken to keep a check on such militant activities as well.

Security measures have been tightened in and around the Bakhshi Stadium in the city, where the main I-Day celebrations will be held tomorrow.

"There is militancy in this region and going by the reports which are coming in, we have made all the necessary arrangements," said Kuldeep Khoda, Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Meanwhile, the police and the paramilitary forces are also placed on a high alert in Tripura.

Security has been beefed up in wake of boycott call given by various militant organisations on the Independence Day.

Paramilitary forces are conducting search operations in the interior parts of the states and are checking all vehicles and passengers at different locations including the national highway.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified its vigil across the 856 kilometres long porous India-Bangladesh border to stop any possible trans-border movement.

"We also have coordination with the BSF. Security has been beefed up at the border and ambushes are being held more frequently," said S S Chaturvedi, Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In Assam, night running of all trains has been suspended for three days following the threat of extremists targeting passenger trains.

According to railway sources, the security measures along the tracks and railway stations have also been beefed up.

In Bihar, a high-alert has been sounded in the wake of the Maoists call to boycott Independence Day celebrations.

Security has also been stepped up along the India-Nepal border for peaceful celebrations. Besides, security has also been tightened at bus terminus, railway stations and airports.

In New Delhi, 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 the 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. (ANI)