Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech, reiterated that India would not bow down to “nuclear blackmail”. Taking a dig at Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir’s recent nuclear threat against India in the US, PM Modi said that India has decided that it will not tolerate nuclear threats anymore.
Addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi hailed Operation Sindoor and its heroes. He said that the armed forces were given full operational freedom after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack to decide the plan, timing and target of India's response, and added that the forces “punished enemies beyond their imagination”.
Before heading to the Red Fort for the I-Day speech, PM Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New Delhi.
Earlier, he took to X to greet citizens on Independence Day and urged everyone to work even harder to build a developed Bharat.
I-Day: Multi-tier security arrangements at Red Fort
Delhi was transformed into a high-security fortress ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. Over 14,000 security and traffic police personnel have been deployed across the city.
At the historic Red Fort, the security arrangements are more stringent. This includes snipers on high-rise buildings surrounding the fort, along with rooftop surveillance teams. CCTV cameras, cutting-edge drone detection systems, facial recognition technology, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are monitoring the venue and its surrounding areas.
A notable enhancement this year is the deployment of Under-Vehicle Surveillance Systems (UVSS) at five key parking zones near the Red Fort. This state-of-the-art technology scans the undersides of vehicles for potential explosives, weapons, or contraband.
Also, headcount cameras are tracking crowd numbers, while specialised devices are in place to flag unattended or suspicious objects. Intrusion-detection cameras are also monitoring restricted zones to prevent unauthorised access. Public entry to the Red Fort vicinity on Independence Day is strictly controlled via invitation cards, and only pre-labelled vehicles are granted access.
Special teams are monitoring railway stations, inter-state bus terminals, airports, and metro stations, and intensifying passenger screenings, baggage checks, and random identity verifications. Important installations, including water treatment plants, are also under protection, with particular emphasis on the north, central, and New Delhi districts.
Delhi Police Commissioner S.B.K. Singh has assigned a DCP-rank officer to oversee anti-drone mechanisms, while surveillance along the Yamuna River has been intensified with the aid of speedboats. Strict traffic regulations are in force, including a ban on commercial vehicles entering the capital, with traffic police working to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
Additionally, cyber units are monitoring social media platforms to detect and neutralise potential online threats or misinformation campaigns. Law enforcement agencies are also conducting anti-sabotage checks, vehicle barricading, and verification drives in close coordination with intelligence agencies. District police units are undertaking foot patrolling in markets and public gathering spots to ensure maximum vigilance and public safety, with senior officers personally reviewing ground arrangements.
