India
For the first time, an all-women SWAT team would be part of the security team guarding the Red Fort on Independence Day
New Delhi: A massive force of 75,000 security personnel, including paramilitary soldiers, will guard Delhi, along with the national capital region, during the Independence Day celebrations. This follows Home Minister Rajnath Singh's meeting with Delhi Police officers, where he urged the rank and file of the force, especially the DCPs and other seniors, to conduct foot-patrolling in the entire stretch. The guarding forces include the all-women SWAT team.
All officers, including additional commissioners, joint commissioners, and special commissioners will be patrolling in their respective areas, Tuesday night onwards. Sources have said that all senior officers will be on the road on the eve of Independence Day.
After the alleged incident of terrorism that took place in the United Kingdom where a car crashed into the security barriers outside the Parliament building on Tuesday, there is a change in the security of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
According to the sources, the radius of no-parking has been increased by 100 metres at Red Fort where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation.
Also, 15,000 security personnel will be guarding the area apart from other 60,000 security personnel who have been deployed in all sensitive locations, markets etc.
Almost 600 CCTVs have been installed on the route and 300 CCTVs including two high range CCTVs have been installed at the Red Fort.
For the first time, an all-women SWAT team would be part of the security team guarding the Red Fort. The 36-member team has been inducted on August 10 by Delhi Police anti-terror wing special cell.
Watch: India’s first all-woman SWAT team at Red Fort for PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech
A team of almost half a dozen of snipers, along with black commandos, have been asked to keep an eye on public areas so that any lone-wolf attack can be averted. Similarly, anti-aircraft guns have been deployed to deal with any aerial attack through para-gliders, drones etc.
Delhi Police, like every year, have already prohibited aerial activities, including paragliding, flying UAVs and hot air balloons across the national capital. “There will be five-layered security for the Prime Minister. All precautionary measures to avert and neutralize any attack have been made. The security personnel, through special cameras, will keep a watch from a maximum distance of 3-4 kilometres when the Prime Minister will give his speech,” a senior police official said.
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