Ahead of the 78th Independence Day celebrations, national capital New Delhi and neighbouring states have turned into a fortress. Security has been intensified and the intelligence agencies have been put on high alert following reports suggesting that one or two operatives of the terrorist group may attempt a fidayeen attack in Delhi or Punjab around August 15.
A terrorist group, currently operating in Jammu, are said to be attempting a fidayeen attack.
As per report by Times of India mentioned the intelligence, citing chatter among terrorists, indicating that the attack may not be necessarily planned for August 15 due to heightened security and could be attempted a day or two later.
2 armed people spotted in village bordering J&K’s Kathua
The report further quoted a source, citing an intelligence input, as saying that two unidentified persons, along with weaponry, were recently seen in a village bordering Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua.
“The possibility of them heading towards the nearby city of Pathankot cannot be discounted,” the source, citing the intelligence input, further said.
The source to ToI further informed that on June 1, a consignment of explosives/IEDs reached a hinterland area of Jammu city and they could be used by the terrorist group to target security establishments, camps, vehicles or vital installations in the coming days.
ISI-sponsored terrorists, gangsters trying to disrupt I-Day celebrations
The report further quoted intelligence sources saying that ISI-sponsored nexus of gangsters, radicals and terrorists, which are active in Punjab and adjoining areas of Jammu and Kashmir had been trying to disrupt Independence Day and the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
“The threat is exacerbated by the possibility of reprisal action by elements disgruntled due to certain decisions or actions taken by the government,” the alert reads.
“The recent terrorist attacks in Kathua, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch districts suggest the presence of armed terrorist groups in Jammu region. Inputs indicate the intent and plans of these outfits to orchestrate disruptive or sabotage activities by targeting high-profile dignitaries, establishments, iconic places, vital installations and places with high footfall. Delhi has also been mentioned in past inputs as a potential target in the plans of LeT and JeM,” the inputs further stated.
Terror threat in Delhi
The alert called for enhanced security measures in Delhi through August 15 at major places and events including the tricolour-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort and the ‘At Home’ reception hosted by the President.
“The threat to the event emanates from Pakistan-based terror outfits, global jihadi groups and their associates professing extreme ideology. The threat is also perceived from homegrown terrorist outfits, radical organisations, Sikh militants, left-wing extremists and Northeast insurgent groups,” the report quoted a senior intelligence officer as saying.
Security in Delhi for Independence Day 2024
For Independence Day 2024, the Delhi Police have increased security measures. More than 3,000 traffic officers, over 10,000 police personnel, and 700 AI-based facial recognition cameras have been deployed across the national capital.
Additional police teams and paramilitary forces have been positioned at key locations, including Delhi’s IGI Airport, railway stations, bus stands, shopping malls, and markets.
The area around the Red Fort has been designated as a “no kite flying zone” until the Independence Day event concludes. The Delhi Police have also banned the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, hang-gliders, and hot air balloons from August 2-16 for security reasons.
With inputs from agencies.
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Delhi on terror alert ahead of Independence Day, intelligence focus on a Jammu fidayeen module
