Delhi security to be beefed up for Zardari visit

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Security in the Indian capital will be beefed up ahead of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's visit April 8 en route to offering prayers at Ajmer, police said Wednesday.

Commandos of the National Security Guard and police would provide him security, an officer said.

"The city will be turned into fortress a day before Zardari's arrival. Preparations regarding his security have been completed," said Taj Hasan, joint commissioner of police, central range.

According to Hasan, Zardari's itinerary has been provided to security officials for preparing a plan for the movement of his cavalcade in the city.

Zardari will arrive here at 8 a.m. before heading to Jaipur from where he will drive to the Ajmer shrine. He would spend about 30 minutes at the shrine and would return to Jaipur by 6.15 p.m., an official said.

"He will return to the national capital from Jaipur later in the evening," he said.

"As security is a confidential issue, the venue where he will be staying and the route of his cavalcade can not be revealed," added Hasan.

Indian officials Tuesday released the itinerary for Zardari's day-long visit to India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host a lunch for the Pakistan president. After the lunch, Zardari will fly to Jaipur in a special plane.

Zardari will be the third Pakistan president to visit the Ajmer shrine.