India celebrates Republic Day amid tight security

As many as 15,000 policemen keep strict vigil across the capital as India celebrates its 58th R-Day on Friday.

As many as 15,000 policemen fanned out across Delhi as an unprecedented security cover was thrown around the capital to prevent any terrorist activities as it celebrated the 58th Republic Day on Friday.

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Stringent security arrangements were in place, mainly along the parade route and around the India Gate area, with special emphasis on tightening access control measures to thwart human bomb attacks.

Securing the Rajpath, the main venue of Republic Day Parade, a multi-layer security ring was in place.

Around 400 armed commandoes of the Delhi Police were positioned along the parade route from Vijay Chowk to Red Fort while about 15,000 Delhi Police and Army personnel were deployed across the capital.

Police deployed mobile hit teams and anti-aircraft guns as elite NSG snipers and commandoes of the Delhi Police and ITBP were posted at strategic locations as part of the massive ground-to-air security apparatus put in place in view of terror threats.

All roads leading to Rajpath were sanitised and major traffic diversions were made to regulate entry of vehicles into the vicinity of the parade route, while people coming to view the parade had to go through multiple security checks.

All vehicles entering Delhi's borders had to pass through multiple checks.

Elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, were also made to check intrusion of air space of the capital, a no-fly zone during the 105-minute parade. Besides, three military choppers maintained air surveillance all along the parade route.