Security beefed up in Hyderabad for I-Day

Police have stepped up security across Hyderabad to pre-empt any possible terrorist strike during the Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made at Golconda Fort, where Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will unfurl the national flag at the main official celebration.

For the second consecutive year, the government decided to organise the main celebration at the historic fort.

Tight security measures are also in place at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad where the chief minister will pay homage at martyrs' memorial before reaching the fort.

A tight vigil is also being maintained at all vital installations in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which have many defence establishments.

A day before Independence Day, police arrested six suspects, including two Bangladeshis and one each from Pakistan and Myanmar.

Police said the Pakistani national had illegally entered India in 2010 and had links with terror group HuJI of Bangladesh.

Police said though the suspects were not planning any strikes during Independence Day, they were not any chances in view of the alerts received from intelligence agencies.

Police on Friday checked vehicles and frisked people at public places in many parts of the state capital.

Security checks were conducted at some popular shopping malls, Secunderabad railway station and other public places.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also tightened security at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Visitors were not being allowed in the airport.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), the operator of the airport, has announced stoppage of sale of visitors' entry ticket till August 20.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued an order banning the entry of visitors and sale of visitors' entry ticket at all airports in the country.

Meanwhile, police have also stepped up security in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, where Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will hoist the tricolour.

The main official function will be held on R.K. Beach Road in the port city.

This is the first time that the Independence Day celebrations are being organised near the beach.