Shielding Red Fort for Independence Day: Multi-tier security ring with drone detectors, paragliders

NEW DELHI: A multi-tier ground-to-air security ring has been thrown to thwart terror attacks at Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the Tricolour and address the nation for the third time on Monday.

For the first time, drone detectors and paragliders, apart from tyre killers at 44 blockades are going to be put in place to secure the area.

Over 9,000 men from Delhi Police and paramilitary forces will be deployed around the fort and on routes to be taken by the PM and VVIPs. The Delhi Metro tunnel under Red Fort will be shut a day in advance and armed guards deployed at either end. Over 500 CCTV cameras will keep a watch on the rooftops.


About 300 sharpshooters will be placed at strategic locations in and around Red Fort. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will deploy 50 sharpshooters. NSG, SWAT and BSF commandos will be stationed in a 500m radius of the venue.

"The area is sanitised a dozen times daily with the help of the dog squad and bomb detection teams. Quick response teams (QRT) patrol at the periphery. The CISF intelligence wing is sharing inputs with other agencies to strengthen the security rings," said a senior CISF officer.



"Since Monday, Red Fort is under the control of Delhi Police PM security wing and CISF is assisting them. While close to 300 CISF personnel are stationed there throughout the year, an additional 350-400 men have been deployed for Independence Day," the officer added.

Apart from deploying spotters to keep a watch over 105 windows that open towards Red Fort, the security agencies will also be using panoramic photography to capture suspicious movements.

The PM's route from his 7, RCR residence to Red Fort will be closely monitored by a string of CCTV cameras. The number of ambulances will also be increased to 71 along with 31 QRTs.

DCP (north) Madhur Verma said, "Anti-sabotage teams are carrying out continuous checks and random searches."