A multi-layered security deployment of over 40,000 personnel backed by anti-aircraft guns today kept a hawk-eye vigil over the national capital as India marked its 69th Independence Day under the shadow of the recent terror attacks in Gurdaspur and Udhampur.
Impregnable security cover was thrown at and around the 17th century historic Red Fort from whose ramparts the Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation without a bullet-proof glass enclosure.
Sky over Red Fort and surrounding areas was a ‘no-fly zone’ during the event while thousands of personnel from Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces were deployed on the ground to prevent any untoward incidents.
Security was also stepped up at vital installations.
Similar intense security measures were put in place at all state capitals and major cities.
While there was no credible intelligence input suggesting attacks during the day, the Home Ministry had passed on an advisory to states and Union territories especially in the backdrop of recent terror strikes in Gurdaspur in Punjab and Udhampur in Jammu, official sources said.
Around 40,000 security personnel were involved in the security apparatus for guarding the national capital with 6,000 of them keeping watch at the Red Fort.
In addition to physically manning the sensitive locations, closed circuit TV cameras kept an eye to eye cover on the route taken by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries to reach the venue.
Over 500 CCTV cameras were installed in and around the Red Fort. A centralised control room was also set up as part of the security drill.