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High alert sounded ahead of Independence Day
A coordination meeting to discuss the security measures held in New Delhi on Saturday evening.
In the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai and growing threat perceptions about Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, security agencies have been put on maximum alert to frustate any designs by anti-national elements to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations.
A coordination meeting to discuss the security measures held in New Delhi on Saturday evening was attended by senior officials of the Home Ministry, Intelligence Bureau and the governments of states neighbouring the national capital, official sources said.
During the meeting, elaborate arrangements were drawn up for security at the 17th century Red Fort where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the tricolour and address the nation, the sources said.
The security agencies also instructed airports across the country to be on high alert as there was a possibility of strikes by terrorists.
Though there was only one specific intelligence input that the banned ULFA might strike at an airport in the northeast, a general alert was issued to airports in other regions as well, a senior Home Ministry official said.
The quick reaction teams (QRTs) of the CISF have been asked to step up vigil and patrolling at airports. If needed, extra QRTs would be positioned at sensitive aiports, the sources said.
