With India gears up for its 77th Republic Day, intelligence agencies have placed the nation’s capital and multiple other states on high alert. Recent inputs indicate a coordinated threat from Khalistani separatist groups and Bangladesh-based terror outfits aimed at disrupting celebrations on January 26, 2026.
Specific Threats Identified
Overseas radical handlers are increasingly using local crime networks to complete their strategic plots, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other central agencies said.
- Gangster-Terror Nexus: Radical handlers operating off the continent of India are reported to recruit gangsters in Punjab as "foot soldiers." These criminal networks have started operating in Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Transnational Syndicates: Intelligence suggests Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), led now by Arshdeep Singh (alias Arsh Dala) from Canada, and the Khalistan Zindabad Force as major threats.
- Bangladesh-Based Outfits: Alerts suggest radical groups based in Bangladesh are planning “sneaking in” or “stand-off” attacks on crowded markets and sensitive installations.
Security Measures in Delhi
In answer to such specific incites, the Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces have turned Delhi into a fortress:
- Operation Gang-Bust 2026: In a large pre-emptive campaign, Delhi Police forces arrested 854 individuals and raided more than 4,000 hideouts in six states in a mass search and seizure campaign targeting the gangster-terror supply chain this month.
- Mock Drills: Several simulated anti-terror drills have been planned at strategically sensitive venues including the Red Fort, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, and high-visibility metro stations.
- Wanted Posters: Updated “wanted” posters of high-level terrorists, including Arsh Dala, Ranjeet Singh Neeta, and AQIS member Mohammed Abu Sufyan, displayed at metro stations and key markets in hopes of fostering public vigilance.
- Outreach & Surveillance: The ‘Eyes and Ears’ system has been introduced to sensitise RWA members, hotel owners, chemical vendors, and suppliers to register any suspicious activity soon after.
Logistical Restrictions
In anticipation of implementing a "zero-leak" security grid multiple measures have been introduced, such as:
- No-Fly Zones: A comprehensive ban on non-traditional aerial platforms, such as drones, paragliders, and hot-air balloons, are prohibited.
- Office Closures: Governmental offices like Kartavya Path (South Block, Vayu Bhawan etc.) shall be vacated and sealed between January 22 to January 26 for sanitization in stages.
- Chief Guest Security: Multi-layered security protocols have been strengthened to accommodate the joint leadership expected of the European Union (European Union Chief Guests Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa).
Advisory for Citizens
Officials have said they urged the public to stay alert. If you observe unclaimed objects, someone you do not know, or unauthorized drone activity please call the emergency helpline at 112 with immediate details.
