Delhi high court bomb threat ahead of Independence Day, Red Fort security tightened

New Delhi: A bomb threat received by the Delhi high court on Friday, warning that the Red Fort could be targeted on August 15, triggered a major security alert in the national capital a day before Independence Day. The threat came as Delhi and neighbouring areas remained under heightened security ahead of the address by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, from the Red Fort.

The high court received the email at around 11.43am, with the message reportedly stating, “Lal Qila ta nishana hove ga” (the Red Fort will be targeted). It also referred to alleged attackers being dressed in khaki and another part of the email reportedly mentioned a blast at the Delhi high court at 2.11pm.

The alert prompted the deployment of bomb disposal squads, sniffer dog teams and fire personnel at the court. Security teams conducted extensive searches of the premises while the registrar general remained in touch with the Delhi Police.

Threat alerts were also received at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Cantonment SDM office, Jamnagar House, Saket SDM office and Jhandewalan. Teams were sent to all the locations and thorough security checks were carried out.

After extensive searches, authorities found no suspicious object or explosive material at the Delhi high court or any of the other locations that received threats. The Delhi Police have subsequently declared all the threats hoaxes, while an investigation is underway to trace the source of the emails and calls.

Security arrangements

The Red Fort has been placed under a multi-layered security cover for the Independence Day celebrations. Around 15,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel are expected to be deployed for the event, with nearly 1,000 CCTV cameras, including facial-recognition-enabled systems, monitoring the Red Fort and surrounding areas.

Delhi Police are also using the Abhigyaan app and facial recognition system vans to identify suspicious or wanted persons in crowded areas. Anti-drone systems, snipers and other security measures have been deployed as part of the arrangements around the venue.

Security has been strengthened across the wider capital, with personnel deployed at celebration venues, VIP routes, entry and exit points, parking areas and other sensitive locations. Quick reaction teams, rooftop surveillance and anti-sabotage checks are also in place, while hotels, inns, dharamshalas, restaurants, malls and clubs are being checked.

In neighbouring Gurugram, around 4,500 police personnel have been deployed and 11 major checkpoints set up ahead of Independence Day. Faridabad Police has also established 11 interstate checkpoints to screen suspicious vehicles and individuals.

Five fire tenders and five ambulances will remain stationed at venues, while special traffic arrangements have been put in place across the region.

The Delhi Traffic Police have also digitally mapped seven designated parking sites near the Red Fort. The locations have been added to Google Maps, while the Mappls app will provide QR codes to help visitors and dignitaries locate their designated parking areas.