M A I N   N E W S

ISI agent held, RDX seized
Plans to disrupt I-Day celebrations
From Our Correspondent and agencies

NEW DELHI, Aug 11 — The Delhi Police has foiled an attempt by Pakistan’s ISI to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations when sleuths of the special cell arrested a Pakistani national and seized 10.2 kg of RDX.

The strict vigilance maintained by the police in wake of the approaching Independence Day bore fruits last night when cops arrested a Pakistani national, Jannat Gul, Delhi Police Commissioner Ajai Sharma told reporters here.

He said with his arrest, the police foiled a plan by the ISI to wreak havoc in the Capital on Independence Day.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the sleuths of the city police’s special cell, arrested the ISI agent of Afghan origin and seized 10.2 kg of RDX and other explosives and arms from his possession.

The explosives and arms included two ABCD timers, four pencil timers, three electronic detonators, six energiser batteries, four ordinary detonators, a .30 bore pistol and 38 cartridges, Mr Sharma said.

The police also seized two fabricated improvised explosive devices (IED) set to explode on August 15. The IEDs were found buried inside Khusro Park in the Nizamuddin area of South Delhi for safe-keeping, sources said.

The Police Commissioner said the IEDs were meant to be planted near the Red Fort from where the Prime Minister addressed the nation.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has made tight security arrangements in the Capital on the occasion of Independence Day keeping in view the threat perception by Hizbul Mujahideen after the end of the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

The police has sealed all borders of the Capital following intelligence reports that Kashmir and Punjab militants, and also those of the LTTE could cause violence in Delhi during the Independence Day celebrations, the Commissioner said.

An emergency meeting was called yesterday by the Lieut-Governor of Delhi, Mr Vijai Kapoor, to discuss the security arrangements.

Exercises were being done systematically in congested localities of the Capital like clusters, busy market places and other sensitive areas. Raids were being conducted on restaurants and hotels to flush out suspicious elements

Vigilance had been tightened at airports, railway stations etc.

He said 330 police control room vans and 300 motor cycles were on patrol duty in deserted bylines and other places.

Extra force was on alert to keep watch on the movement of people in Delhi, particularly in the border areas.

The Commissioner said the Air Force had been asked to keep watch on air space in Delhi till August 15. Helicopters would be used for surveillance.

Anti-sabotage units of the Army, dog squads of the Delhi Police as well as the Army were on the job for quite some time. Commandos, sharp-shooters, and paramilitary forces were on specific duty to foil the bid of the militants.

Elaborate traffic as well as law and order governments had been made for the convenience of people. The help of NGOs had been sought to guide the people about the traffic movements. Special arrangements would be made by the police to give medical help.