Ahead of I-Day, Assam, J&K on maximum alert

Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, the Union home ministry has issued a nationwide security alert, especially for Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, where security agencies suspect a series of terror attacks.

Among other high-security zones, the national capital has seen around 15,000 policepersonnel being deployed, along with anti-aircraft guns.

Sleuths of the Prime Minister’s security squad are also in the process of identifying a safe house in case there is a terrorist attack during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, from where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will deliver a customary address to the nation.

Intelligence agencies have also asked paramilitary forces to be on maximum alert at 12 airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, suspecting it could be targeted by terrorists during Monday’s celebrations.

Delhi has been declared a no-flying zone between 1 and 3 pm since August 11. The home ministry will announce another schedule for the Independence Day.

“Security alerts have been sent to different states, airports and Delhi Metro and we have advised paramilitary forces to deploy personnel in plain clothes who would travel with passengers inside Delhi Metro trains,” said a senior home ministry official.

During Monday’s celebrations at the Red Fort, quick reaction teams of the National Security Guard would also be deployed to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements from carrying out attacks. Snipers would be deployed at roof tops around the Red Fort to take out any flying objects and anti-national elements in case of an attack.

Paramilitary forces guarding politicians and VIPs and their family members have also been asked to be on alert as they could be targeted by anti-national elements. State police units along with paramilitary forces have been asked to deploy ‘spotters’ at busy market places, bus stands and airports to identify suspicious people.