Around 40,000 security personnel will be deployed in and around Rajpath on Republic Day. (Representational image)
The possibility of a terror strike in or around Delhi in the run-up to the Republic Day is proving a major concern for both Indian and US security forces.
On March 20, 2000, as then US President Bill Clinton landed in India, Pakistan-based LeT terrorist struck at the hamlet of Chittisinghpura in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, and gunned down 35 Sikhs.
"Pakistan is unlikely to allow terror groups to strike the parade because it would mean a major retaliation. But it could engineer a strike in the vicinity. It will serve two purposes: Mar the celebrations and force the Kashmir issue on the table again," a senior security official told NDTV.
Moreover, the multi-tier security blanket around Lutyen's Delhi on January 26 will be near-impossible to breach. Large parts of Rajpath has already been sanitised and made out-of-bounds for the public.
Since Pakistan-based terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mujahideen primarily have the capability to strike in India, a team of US and India security officials are keeping a close watch on these organisations and their known channels of communication.
US security officials have requested their Indian counterparts not to overdo security and inconvenience common people.
"President Obama apparently had pulled up his security officials for relocating and inconveniencing a family during one of his officials visit to Hawaii," a security official liaising with US officials told NDTV.
The Delhi Police will deploy around 40,000 men including NSG commandos and sharp-shooters at Rajpath. Besides, market and public places that attract large number of people will see heavy deployment of forces.
The deployment at Rajpath will be the same as any other year. "There isn't much scope to increase security, it is already saturated. But the process will be followed with much rigour," a senior official said.
Metro Stations around Rajpath will like previous years be closed by the evening of January 25.
President Obama is to watch the two-hour regalia on Rajpath on the January 26. The next day he files to Agra and will be at Taj for about 6 hours, sources told NDTV. The Taj Mahal will be closed to public during the visit of President Obama.
On March 20, 2000, as then US President Bill Clinton landed in India, Pakistan-based LeT terrorist struck at the hamlet of Chittisinghpura in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, and gunned down 35 Sikhs.
"Pakistan is unlikely to allow terror groups to strike the parade because it would mean a major retaliation. But it could engineer a strike in the vicinity. It will serve two purposes: Mar the celebrations and force the Kashmir issue on the table again," a senior security official told NDTV.
Moreover, the multi-tier security blanket around Lutyen's Delhi on January 26 will be near-impossible to breach. Large parts of Rajpath has already been sanitised and made out-of-bounds for the public.
Since Pakistan-based terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mujahideen primarily have the capability to strike in India, a team of US and India security officials are keeping a close watch on these organisations and their known channels of communication.
US security officials have requested their Indian counterparts not to overdo security and inconvenience common people.
"President Obama apparently had pulled up his security officials for relocating and inconveniencing a family during one of his officials visit to Hawaii," a security official liaising with US officials told NDTV.
The Delhi Police will deploy around 40,000 men including NSG commandos and sharp-shooters at Rajpath. Besides, market and public places that attract large number of people will see heavy deployment of forces.
The deployment at Rajpath will be the same as any other year. "There isn't much scope to increase security, it is already saturated. But the process will be followed with much rigour," a senior official said.
Metro Stations around Rajpath will like previous years be closed by the evening of January 25.
President Obama is to watch the two-hour regalia on Rajpath on the January 26. The next day he files to Agra and will be at Taj for about 6 hours, sources told NDTV. The Taj Mahal will be closed to public during the visit of President Obama.
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