Security across the nation has been tightened and anti-terrorist forces deployed at key facilities like nuclear plants ahead of Independence Day celebrations. This has been consequent to reports that militants from Hurkatul Jehadi Islami and Jamaat-ul Mujahiddin Bangladesh were planning to carry out suicide attacks.
A high-level meeting to review security arrangements, held on Sunday, decided that no vehicular traffic will be allowed in the vicinity of the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the tricolour and address the nation.
These steps were taken to following intelligence reports that terrorists were planning to carry out suicide attacks at Shantivan, the memorial of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chandni Chowk.
The national capital has been declared a no-fly zone for August 15 and air defence guns have been placed at strategic locations to ward off possible aerial attacks using unmanned aircraft.
Elite commandoes of the National Security Guard and Indo-Tibetan Border Police will guard the Red Fort, where political leaders and citizens will be present for the prime minister's address.
Sharp-shooters have also been positioned at high-rise buildings in Delhi. Quick reaction teams of the Central Industrial Security Force have been deployed at the Indira Gandhi international Airport.
Unprecedented security measures have also been put in place in Mumbai ahead of Independence Day in view of intelligence inputs of terrorist plans to disrupt the celebrations.
Vital nuclear installations, places of historic, economic and social importance, will be prime on the radar of security agencies, official sources said.
For the first time in the recent years, the NSG, the country's premier anti-subversive force will guard the Bhabha Atmoic Research Centre against any terrorist attack.
BARC will be the most-protected site in Mumbai, with multi-layer security being provided by agencies like Mumbai police, Central Industrial Security Force and the NSG.
The Indian Coast Guard will provide a cover to BARC in the sea, while the Indian Air Force will also be on an alert, sources said. City police plans to make public places as secure as possible, so that subversive elements do not repeat incidents like July 11 blasts, sources said.
After the serial train blasts, security at markets, malls and multiplexes, cinema halls and places of worship has been stepped up.
According to senior police officials, city's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport remains one of the most guarded places.
Entry points to the city like railway stations, bus stands, roads will be guarded appropriately and people subjected to frisking and luggage check.
"People should not get panicked. The security measures are aimed to protect them," Mumbai police commissioner, A N Roy urged people while speaking to reporters on Sunday.
Prominent places like Siddhivinayak temple at Prabhadevi in central Mumbai, Mahalaxmi temple and the Haji Ali durgah in south Mumbai, residences of VIPs will be highly protected in the coming days, the sources said.
Checking at the entry and exit points and random search of vehicles will be carried out till the Independence Day, with a police posse posted at communally sensitive places, they said.
Riot Control Police, extra units of paramilitary forces have also been deployed at strategic points, they added. Police has urged public in general to remain alert and report any suspicious activities or objects to police.
The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads have also been asked to conduct random checks in sensitive areas of city and remain on guard for any eventuality.
More from rediff