New Delhi, Jan 26: Delhi Police has placed the national capital under an extensive security blanket ahead of Republic Day, deploying more than 30,000 personnel across the city as part of a multi-tier security arrangement, officials said.

Nearly 10,000 police personnel have been stationed in the New Delhi district alone, which houses the ceremonial parade route and several high-security installations.

Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahala said elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the celebrations.

To ensure the safety and security of the Republic Day festivities, around 10,000 police officers are stationed in the New Delhi region. Checkpoints, barricades, and all standard operating protocols have been established.

He added that all officers and staff have been briefed in detail about deployment plans, location-specific duties and emergency response measures. Rehearsals and drills have already been conducted to ensure readiness.

Mahala said that over 3,000 CCTV cameras with advanced video analytics and Facial Recognition System (FRS) capabilities have been installed throughout the New Delhi area, including along the parade route and nearby locations.

According to him, the live footage from these cameras is being monitored round the clock through more than 30 control rooms, which are being operated by nearly 150 trained personnel.

Police personnel deployed on the ground are also equipped with AI-enabled glasses integrated with facial recognition and video analytics technology.

“These AI glasses, manufactured in India, are linked in real-time to police databases containing information on criminals, suspects, and proclaimed offenders. If a face matches in a crowded place, it can be identified instantly, enabling swift intervention,” Mahala said.

Officials said the security framework includes multiple layers of barricading, rigorous checking and frisking at all designated entry points, and strict access control along the parade route and adjoining areas.

To further enhance surveillance and mobility, mobile monitoring vehicles equipped with FRS technology have been strategically positioned across the city.

Sniper teams have also been deployed on thousands of rooftops in New Delhi, North Delhi and Central Delhi districts as part of the heightened alert.

Deputy commissioners of police have carried out detailed route inspections and anti-sabotage checks, while security has been intensified in crowded areas such as markets, bus terminals, metro stations and railway stations across Delhi.

Police are also conducting tenant and domestic help verification drives as part of the overall security exercise.

An officer said coordination meetings have been held with police forces of neighbouring states to ensure seamless intelligence sharing, coordination and preparedness during the national event.

The Additional Commissioner of Police urged citizens to follow security advisories and avoid carrying prohibited items strictly.

He also said the seating enclosures have been named after rivers and advised visitors to be aware of their designated enclosure, approach road and entry gate to avoid inconvenience.

New Delhi, Jan 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted the nation on the 77th Republic Day.

In a post on X, he said, “Best wishes on Republic Day. May this occasion add renewed energy and enthusiasm in our collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat.”

At the 77th Republic Day celebrations on the Kartavya Path, India will display its development journey, cultural diversity and military might, including newly-raised units and mock-ups of major weapon systems deployed during Operation Sindoor.

The overarching theme of this year’s event is 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.

New Delhi/Srinagar, Jan 25: An Interpol Red Corner notice may soon be issued against Dr Muzaffar Rather, an accused in the white-collar terror module, after his name emerged as a co-conspirator who provided critical logistical support and funding from Afghan soil for the devastating November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, officials said on Sunday.

Rather, a paediatrician by profession and a resident of South Kashmir, has already been declared as a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court.

The Interpol notice for Rather, who provided help in logistics, funding, communication and planning to Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the driver of the explosive-laden car that detonated outside the Red Fort killing over a dozen people, is in the process, they said.

The officials alleged that Rather has emerged as a primary co-conspirator who allegedly orchestrated the attack from abroad after fleeing India. Investigators have traced a trail of logistics, encrypted communications and radicalisation efforts that lead directly to safe havens in Afghanistan, where Rather is currently suspected to be hiding, they said.

The officials said that Umar carried out the suicide attack with support from Rather and Afghanistan-based handlers, who provided logistics, communication, funding, and planning. The officials alleged that Rather played a key role, particularly in liaison and funding.

They said Rather remained in continuous contact with the terrorists and facilitated their communication with Afghanistan-based handlers for information related to bomb-making and operational tactics. Rather left India in mid-August last year, shortly before the Delhi blast, and he first travelled to Dubai and subsequently crossed into Afghanistan, where he is currently hiding.

The officials said the interrogation of other arrested accused in the white collar terror module showed that Rather allegedly assisted in raising funds for the terror module and contributed approximately Rs 6 lakh towards the financial pool of the terror plot. In 2021, Rather had travelled to Turkey along with Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Umar and the journey was primarily aimed at establishing contact with external handlers or as a transit attempt towards Afghanistan. Although they did not enter Afghanistan at that time, the trip is considered part of their radicalisation and preparatory network activities, the officials said. After the trip, Rather, Umar and Ganaie, who taught at Faridabad’s Al Falah University, began accumulating vast quantities of chemicals from the open market, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, much of which was stored near the university campus.

The terror plot fell apart when Srinagar police’s meticulous investigation led to Ganaie’s arrest and the seizure of the explosives, which possibly caused Umar to panic and led to the “premature” blast outside the Red Fort. The intricate inter-state terror network was exposed after a small but significant incident of the appearance of JeM posters on walls in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19 last year. Srinagar police registered a case and reviewed CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of three locals — Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid — all with prior stone-pelting cases. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian who allegedly supplied the posters and used his access to radicalise the doctors. The trail led the investigators to the Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, where Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed were arrested, and 2,900 kg of explosive material was seized in November.

New Delhi, Jan 25: The President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards for 2026, announced on the occasion of Republic Day, recognising individuals for distinguished service across a wide range of fields.

The awards include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. Among the recipients are 19 women awardees, 16 posthumous honours, and six awardees from the foreign/NRI/OCI category, reflecting the diversity and national reach of the honours.

Jammu and Kashmir has figured among the Padma Shri awardees, with Brij Lal Bhat being honoured for his contributions to social work. A long-time social activist, Bhat has been recognised for his sustained efforts in community welfare and public service.

Renowned academic and scholar Prof. Shafi Shauq has also been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the fields of literature and education, marking a significant recognition of his scholarly work and contribution to intellectual discourse.

From Ladakh, Dr Padma Gurmet has received the Padma Shri for her services in medicine, a recognition widely hailed as a milestone for the Union Territory. Dr Gurmet has been instrumental in advancing healthcare services in the region, particularly in challenging terrains and underserved areas.

The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, are conferred annually in three categories—Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards recognise achievements in disciplines including art, literature, education, social work, medicine, science, public affairs and sports.

The awards will be presented by the President of India at ceremonial functions to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year.