Security beefed up as nation gears up for I-Day

Security across the nation has been tightened and anti-terrorist forces deployed at key facilities like nuclear plants ahead of the Independence Day celebrations following reports that militants from Hurkatul Jehadi Islami and Jamaat-ul Mujahiddin Bangladesh were planning to carry out suicide attacks.

A high-level meeting to review security arrangements, held today following a full dress rehearsal for the national event, decided that no vehicular traffic will be allowed in the vicinity of the Red Fort where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the nation from the ramparts of the 17th century Mughal monument.

These steps were taken following intelligence reports that terrorists were planning to carry out suicide attacks at Shantivan, the memorial of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and Chandni Chowk.

The national capital has been declared a no-fly zone for August 15 and air defence guns have been placed at strategic locations to ward off possible aerial attacks using unmanned aircraft.

Elite commandoes of the National Security Guard (NSG) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will guard the Red Fort where political leaders and citizens will witness the Prime Minister unfurl the triclour on Tuesday morning.

Sharp-shooters have also been positioned at high-rise buildings in Delhi. Quick reaction teams of the Central Industrial Security Force have been deployed at the Indira Gandhi international Airport.