Anti-aircraft guns to guard city skies
To prevent air attack during the Commonwealth Games, the security agencies have placed anti-aircraft gun at the Paryavaran Bhawan in Lodhi Colony, near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
To prevent air attack during the Commonwealth Games, the security agencies have placed anti-aircraft gun at the Paryavaran Bhawan in Lodhi Colony, near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
According to sources, trained army commandos have been entrusted with the responsibility of securing the area against possible air attacks. Though there is no specific threat, the government is leaving no stone unturned and have taken various initiatives to secure the city during the Games.
“To combat aerial threat, Army has deployed air defence guns and medium machine guns. The highly sophisticated guns will be able to bring down hijacked planes, low-speed and high-speed aircraft, para gliders and balloons, which could pose threat to venues. We can cover a 60-km radius,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Sources said two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles of the Indian Air Force will also hover over the Capital at
6,000 to 10,000 feet altitude on all days of the Games from October 3 to 14.
The air space over Delhi would be a no-fly zone for all unscheduled aircraft during the Games for which the aviation ministry has already issued guidelines.
“Air space over the Capital would remain partially closed for five hours during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. But domestic and international commercial air operations would not be affected. Barring routine commercial flights and those of the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force and Aviation Research Centre, no other aircraft would be allowed to take off or land at the Delhi airport and those within a 300-km radius," the Ministry of Home Affairs official added.
Also, the snipers of National Security Guards have been placed at strategic locations around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. According to sources, the snipers have been placed at 10 government buildings .
“The snipers are at the top of these buildings and are able to cover nearby areas,” the NSG official said. NSG has also earmarked a specially trained black cat commando unit for the Games for providing 24X7 security to the Games Village.