With just a few more days for the 77th Republic Day celebration, security agencies have warned of terror threats by Khalistani organisations and Bangladesh-based Islamist groups.
Officials from the Intelligence Bureau said Punjab-based gangsters are "acting as foot soldiers for Khalistani and radical handlers operating from abroad," according to new agency ANI.
These include the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), which is headed by Canada-based Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, and the Khalistan Zindabad Force. They are active in states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh besides the Delhi-NCR.
The intelligence sources also revealed that Bangladeshi radical outfits are preparing to infiltrate and plotting "stand-off" attacks in crowded areas and strategic locations, according to the report.
Wanted posters of terrorists including Arsh Dala, Ranjeet Singh Neeta and AQIS member Mohammed Abu Sufyan were put up at metro stations, said reports.
The Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces have carried out mock drills across the national capital. Anti-terror drills are being carried out at the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi University Metro Station, and Khari Baoli in the Lahori Gate area. The drills involved simulated scenarios of bomb blasts and terrorist attacks. Besides the Delhi Police, agencies like the Special Cell, SWAT, PCR, CATS, Delhi Fire Service, Dog Squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads and district disaster management authorities participated in the drills, reported PTI.
The authorities have also banned drones, paragliders and hot-air balloons in certain locations. Citizens have been urged to alert authorities in case they spot unclaimed objects or drones.
Police also launched Operation Gang-Bust 2026 in Delhi, arresting 854 individuals as a pre-emptive measure. They also raided 4,000 hideouts across six states and targeted gangster supply chain. These included an illegal firearms manufacturing racket that allegedly supplied illegal weapons to criminals operating across Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Police recovered 20 sophisticated country-made pistols, 12 live cartridges and a large quantity of machinery and raw material used for manufacturing illegal firearms.
Traffic movement will be restricted at several key crossings in Delhi on January 17, 19, 20 and 21 in view of the Republic Day parade rehearsals along Kartavya Path.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan (Circuit 1) will remain closed for the general public from January 21 to 29 in view of the upcoming Republic Day Parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony. The Beating Retreat ceremony, which marks the end of Republic Day festivities, is held on January 29 at Vijay Chowk.