NEW DELHI, 15 August 2006 — Security across the nation was tightened yesterday and anti-terrorist forces deployed at key facilities like nuclear plants and railway stations ahead of the Independence Day celebrations today, following reports that militants were planning to carry out attacks.
Anti-terrorist commandos have been positioned at vital installations like nuclear plants and airports after intelligence reports warned of possible terrorist attacks.
The traffic control measures have been tightened in the capital. Around 10,000 police officers will be deployed today, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hoists the national flag and addresses the nation. Snipers, metal detectors, X-ray machines, sniffer dogs, radio frequency jammers and security cameras have also been deployed.
The national capital has been declared a no-fly zone for Aug. 15 and air defense guns have been placed at strategic locations to ward off possible aerial attacks. Temples, roads, bridges, nuclear facilities and the rail network were all guarded by troops and police ahead of the Independence Day that is always accompanied by tighter security.
The US Embassy last week warned that militants possibly including members of Al-Qaeda may plan bomb attacks in the run-up to Independence Day, in and around New Delhi and the economic capital of Mumbai.
Police in Bombay said they had intelligence reports of possible plans for attacks on the city today. “We have intelligence inputs that the terrorists will try to create mischief at some targets on the 15th,” said P.S. Pasricha, police chief for Maharashtra.
Soldiers were sent to guard the country’s premier nuclear research facility near Mumbai after intelligence reports warned it was a potential target, said Maharashtra state Chief Secretary D.K. Sankaran.
More than 180 people were killed in July in a series of coordinated bomb attacks on the city’s rail network blamed on Islamic militants. An Independence Day reception for today was canceled out of respect for the dead. At Bombay’s international airport, armed soldiers yesterday examined baggage and checked papers with a low-key but tighter security presence.
Sankaran said the moves followed intelligence reports, the US Embassy warning and British claims last week to have averted a major series of bomb attacks on aircraft.
“Considering all that, we have substantially increased the presence of security forces at all installations in and around Bommbay,” he said. Last week authorities tightened security at the Taj Mahal, India’s famous monument to love in Uttar Pradesh state, after top officials decided current arrangements were inadequate to thwart a terror strike.
Security has been strengthened at stations, airports and telephone exchanges in other states and security drills were carried out at the international airport in the eastern city of Calcutta.
In Kashmir surveillance cameras and sniffer dogs were pressed into service as authorities tightened security. “We have placed hi-tech surveillance cameras at sensitive points in Srinagar,” a police officer said.
