Red Fort fortified ahead of August 15

Over 12,000 security personnel and 1,000 CCTV cameras will be used to keep a tight vigil at the Red Fort for Independence Day celebrations on Saturday and full dress rehearsal on Thursday.

Sharpshooters of the National Security Guard will be deployed at high-rise buildings, while Delhi Police’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) commandos and paramilitary forces with anti-aircraft guns will keep a close watch.

However, the drone used by Delhi Police, Netra, will remain grounded.
According to police, security personnel will be deployed on Thursday evening, during the full dress rehearsal, and from Friday midnight.

“With the deployment of 12,000 police personnel, three zones of security arrangement will be put in place. As many as 1,000 CCTV cameras would be installed in the periphery of Red Fort. Every nook and corner and roads leading to the Red Fort are being monitored by the cameras. The area will also be a no-fly zone,” a senior police officer said.

A special meeting was also held regarding security measures at Delhi Police Headquarters under the supervision of Senior Special Commissioner of Police (Coordinator).

Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi will also hold a meeting to take note of the arrangements. Coordination meetings have already been held with security agencies and police of neighbouring states.

Sources said all hotels, guest houses and restaurants in Paharganj, Jama Masjid and areas near the Red Fort are under the scanner of police. Even rickshaw-pullers and vendors in the area are being asked to keep a lookout for any suspicious objects or people.

“The security arrangements are not limited to the Red Fort and Jama Masjid area. Security has also been beefed up at railway stations, Metro stations, bus stops, markets, malls and border areas,” the officer added.

Border areas will be sealed from Friday midnight. Police are also conducting intensive drives for verification of tenants, servants, guest houses, of second hand scooter and car dealers, cyber cafe users and cycle sellers across the city to thwart any possible terror attempt.

“Since the beginning of this week, higher security has been in place in entire Delhi, and you will see much higher police presence on the roads and at sensitive locations, including railway stations, markets, malls and Metro stations till Sunday,” the officer said.