Delhi on high alert as terror suspect spotted wearing IAF uniform

NEW DELHI: An alert of the highest category was sounded after intelligence officials and Delhi Police got an input that a suspected terrorist posing as an Indian Air Force officer was roaming around in Connaught Place. A manhunt has been launched to trace the man spotted near Rajiv Chowk metro station on Sunday evening.

Around 5.30pm on Sunday, a retired IAF officer spotted the suspect wearing an IAF uniform along with sports shoes — something which the force personnel would never do. The retired officer alerted police and also raised an alarm, but the suspect ran away before cops could arrive.

Security personnel are already on their toes with inputs of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists having entered the capital. An older input suggests that they could be posing as plumbers or electricians. Police have examined all pipelines and electric meters of houses located around Red Fort.

Police have also roped in 150 kite catchers to prevent a rerun of last year’s incident when a kite had landed at Red Fort during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech. This was considered a major security breach. Also, residents of areas around Red Fort have been asked not to fly kites.

A total of 1,000 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep a hawk-eyed vigil around Red Fort on August 15. A special control room has been set up to help cops monitor the footage. Only those vehicles that have stickers given by Delhi Police will be allowed to head towards Red Fort.

Apart from Delhi Police personnel, 50 companies of security agencies have been deployed and 150 spotters and sharpshooters stationed on rooftops. On Tuesday morning, the entire area around Red Fort and the route leading to it will be sanitised. The security apparatus will have at least seven layers with Delhi Police forming the outmost cordon.