10,000 paramilitary personnel deployed in Delhi ahead of R-Day

New Delhi, Jan 11: An additional 10,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Delhi to ensure greater security cover ahead of the Republic Day celebrations where French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest.

The deployment of the additional paramilitary forces in the national capital comes a week after the terrorist attack on the Pathankot IAF base in which seven security personnel were killed.

"Highest possible security cover will be given in Delhi in the run up to the Republic Day and during the celebration where the French President will be the chief guest," a Home Ministry official said.

A total of 50 companies (100 personnel in each company) of paramilitary forces were deployed to ensure security of Republic Day in 2014. The number had been increased to 95 companies in 2015 when US President Barack Obama was the chief guest.

This year, it has been decided to deploy 100 companies of paramilitary personnel, the official said. Delhi has already been put on a high alert after the Pathankot terror attack, following intelligence inputs which suggested that at least two terrorists had entered into Delhi.

Days before the attack on the Pathankot air base, central security agencies had reported that a group of 8 to 10 terrorists had crossed Indo-Pakistan border from Pakistan.

A similar report from Punjab government had said that at least 15 terrorists from Pakistan had breached the border. In the counter-attack, security forces killed six terrorists at the air base in Punjab.

Sources said there may be a few terrorists who continue to be at large and awaiting for opportunities. Government is also not ready to take chance during the visit of Hollande, as Paris saw one of the worst terrorist attacks on November 13, when 130 people were killed by seven gunmen.

Apart from deployment of forces on the ground, government will also ensure security in air by deploying anti-aircraft gun and ensuring no-fly zone in many areas of Delhi.

PTI