New Delhi, Aug.15 (ANI): India on Monday observed its 65th Independence Day and accompanying celebrations amid tight security.
Streets of national capital New Delhi were heavily sanitized, with armed security personnel keeping a hawk-eyed vigil to prevent possible terrorist strikes on the occasion.
Print and television media reports said that an elaborate ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the city, especially near Red Fort, from where the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, unfurled the tri-colour and addressed the nation for the eighth consecutive time.
Though there was no specific intelligence input about a possible terror strike, the Union Home Ministry took no chances and issued a country-wide alert.
It asked states to tighten security at sensitive locations and installations to thwart any attempt of terror strike.
"Elaborate security arrangements have been made. Personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary have been deployed for security," media reports quoted senior police officer, as saying.
Around 40 CCTVs were installed in and around the Red Fort.
Sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) were deployed on high-rise buildings located close to the Red Fort.
Specialized units like Quick Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra were deployed. A no-fly zone was in place around the Red Fort for the nearly 90-minute-long function.
Besides the patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air defence mechanism was also kept in readiness around the venue to thwart any terror attacks. Delhi Police carried out intensive checks at all the border points.
Security was also tight around other key installations such as the Parliament complex, the Indira Gandhi International Airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.
There was, however, no sealing of borders this time. (ANI)
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