Delhi on high alert ahead of 77th Republic Day, AQIS terrorist Rehan on police posters

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Police and intelligence agencies are on high alert regarding security arrangements in the capital Delhi ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations. In this context, the Delhi Police has included the photo of Mohammed Rehan, a terrorist associated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), in the alert posters issued. This is the first time that the photo of a local Al-Qaeda terrorist has been prominently published in the security alert posters issued ahead of Republic Day.

A senior police officer said that Mohammad Rehan is a resident of Delhi and has been wanted by the Delhi Police and intelligence agencies for a long time. He is said to be an active member of the banned terrorist organization AQIS.

A multi-layered, technology-enabled security system has been put in place in Kartavya Path and the entire New Delhi district in view of intelligence inputs about possible terror threats ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. According to New Delhi District Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahala, a strong security cordon comprising Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and other security agencies has been deployed in the Kartavya Path area. The entire area is being monitored through an extensive network of CCTV cameras along with an advanced Face Recognition System (FRS).

He said that approximately 10,000 police personnel will be deployed during the national ceremony, and nine ground-level briefings have been conducted so far regarding security arrangements. Pedestrians will have to pass through door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) on at least three levels. Anti-drone units and sniper teams have also been deployed on high-rise buildings.

This year's Republic Day celebrations will showcase India's cultural diversity, particularly by commemorating the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. This will be the first Republic Day parade after 'Operation Sindoor', the precision action carried out by the Indian Army in Pakistan and PoK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025. For the first time, indigenous weapons and tanks of the Indian Army will be seen on duty in the same battle formation as they are on the actual battlefield under 'Phased Battle Array'. For the convenience of the guests, this time the seating blocks have been named after the major rivers of the country.