Fighter jets to security personnel on vigil for R-Day parade

A massive ground-to-air security apparatus, comprising fighter jets, anti-aircraft guns and thousands of security personnel, will be placed in and around Delhi during the Republic Day parade to thwart any untoward incident.

A massive ground-to-air security apparatus, comprising fighter jets, anti-aircraft guns and thousands of security personnel, will be placed in and around Delhi during the Republic Day parade to thwart any untoward incident.

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"Three fighter jets are being stationed at Air Force Station, Hindon (near Delhi), for the Republic Day parade. Anti-aircraft guns are also kept at undisclosed locations," a senior Indian Air Force official said.

The entire Rajpath, the road leading from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the India Gate, will be out of bounds for any aircraft having been declared a "no fly zone".

According to a plan of the city police, 22 CCTVs will be installed till Jan 26 on the 1.5 km Rajpath, where country's top political and military brass will be present to witness the military might of India.

There will be a huge deployment of personnel with 198 companies, comprising 20,000 personnel, forming multi-layered rings around the parade venue.

"There will be 55 companies of paramilitary forces and others of National Security Guard (NSG) and quick reaction teams maintaining vigil during the Republic Day," a senior police official said.

"Bomb disposal squads (BDS) in each district will be on high alert and the borders of the capital will be sealed a night before. Machans (high rise post) have been constructed in main markets," the official added.

Moreover, leaves of all personnel have been cancelled for maximum mobilisation in all police stations.