NW DELHI: Delhi has been placed on high alert ahead of Independence Day, with the police stepping up security across the national capital and displaying posters of 19 wanted terrorists at prominent public locations.
The posters carry photographs and identification details of terror suspects linked to groups including the Indian Mujahideen, Al-Qaeda and various Khalistani organisations. The move is aimed at increasing public awareness and encouraging citizens to share information that could help authorities trace the wanted suspects.
Notably, after this, the Red Fort, where the main Independence Day celebrations will be held, has been placed under a multi-layered security cover. Around 15,000-20,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel are expected to be deployed for the August 15 event, which is likely to be attended by a large number of people, including VIPs and VVIPs.
Nearly 1,000 CCTV cameras, including facial recognition system-enabled cameras, have been installed at the Red Fort and its adjoining areas. A high-tech CCTV control room has been set up inside the monument, where police personnel and technical teams will monitor every movement in an over three-kilometre radius.
The Abhigyan application, which has a database of more than one crore criminals, is being used by police personnel carrying handheld devices to randomly screen fingerprints.
The fingerprints are checked against the database within seconds. A red indication alerts personnel that the person has a criminal record, while a green indication indicates that no record has been found.
Facial recognition system (FRS) vans equipped with high-resolution cameras have also been deployed at strategic locations. The vans scan faces in crowds and match them against available databases.
If a wanted or suspicious person is detected, an alert is generated and sent to the control room for verification and necessary action.
Snipers have also been positioned at strategic locations, including elevated platforms, while anti-drone systems have been deployed to prevent unauthorised aerial activity.
Who are the Terrorists in Posters?
Among those featured are Indian Mujahideen-linked suspects Riyaz Bhatkal and Shabandri Mohammad Iqbal, also known as Iqbal Bhatkal.
The list also includes Mohammad Sharjeel Akhtar, Abu Sufiyan and Syed Mohammad Arshiyan, who are associated with Al-Qaeda.
Several Khalistani terrorists have also been named in the posters, including Ranjit Singh alias Neeta and Paramjit Singh Pamma of the Khalistan Zindabad Force, as well as Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala of the Khalistan Tiger Force.
With August 15 approaching, police and other security agencies have intensified surveillance at locations considered vulnerable or crowded, including railway stations, bus terminals, markets, religious sites and other important installations.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened at sensitive points across the capital, with agencies maintaining increased co-ordination to identify and respond to any potential threat.
Police have urged residents and visitors to remain alert and report any suspicious individuals, activities or objects to the authorities. Citizens who have information about any of the wanted suspects featured in the posters have also been asked to contact the police. The heightened surveillance is part of the security arrangements being implemented across the capital ahead of the August 15 celebrations.
