Security stepped up in state capitals on Independence Day eve

New Delhi: Security has been stepped up in state capitals and key installations on Independence Day eve to thwart any terror strike, with an elaborate ground-to-air vigil being maintained in Delhi where the Prime Minister will unfurl the tricolour at the Red Fort on Wednesday.

With insurgents outfits and Maoists calling for a boycott of celebrations, tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed and patrolling intensified in the North-eastern states and those hit by Left wing violence, including Chhattisgarh.

In Jammu and Kashmir, security measures have been intensified across the Valley following stepped up militant attacks over the past week, with police and other security forces resuming random frisking of pedestrians and searching of vehicles.

There is an elaborate ground-to-air vigil being maintained in Delhi where the PM will unfurl the tricolour at the Red Fort on Wednesday.

A thick security blanket has been thrown across Mumbai with over 40,000 policemen deployed on surveillance duty against the backdrop of Saturday's violence during a rally at Azad Maidan.

A 'red alert' has already been sounded across violence hit Assam, which witnessed a few IED blasts targeting security personnel during the past couple of weeks, particularly in Goalpara district.

Thousands of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in and around Delhi, especially near the Red Fort and sharpshooters of the NSG deployed on the high-rises near the 17th century Mughal monument, officials said.

According to the officials, the localities around Red Fort have been sanitised and informers have been deployed to keep a check on any movement of anti-national elements. Specialised units like Quick Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra are being deployed.

An intense vigil will also be maintained on key installations like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

Besides patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air defence mechanism will also be put in place around the venue to thwart any terror attacks.

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