NEW DELHI — Paramilitary soldiers and police set up road blocks and snipers took positions atop government buildings today as hundreds of thousands of people turned out to celebrate India’s national day.
India celebrates its Republic Day on Jan. 26 every year, but this year security measures were notched up following intelligence reports of a possible terrorist attack by Islamic militants.
Last week, the Indian government put its airports on high alert amid reports that al-Qaida-linked militants planned to hijack a plane. Security also has been tightened at all major government telecommunications and power installations, police said.
At least 15,000 paramilitary soldiers were deployed in and around the capital of New Delhi to ensure safety along the route of the annual parade — the highlight of India’s Republic Day festivities, said police spokesman Rajan Bhagat.
In downtown New Delhi, hundreds of thousands of people gathered to witness the parade — a showcase of Indian military and cultural pomp — under the eyes of police.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who is on a four-day official visit to India, was the main guest at the parade, which included marching bands and contingents of soldiers and schoolchildren and an aeronautic display by air force planes.
India is observing the 60th anniversary of the 1950 adoption of its constitution. The country gained independence from Britain in 1947.
Islamic militants attempted to disrupt celebrations by crossing from Pakistan into Indian Kashmir early today, said J.B. Sangwan, a Border Security Force official. He accused Pakistani soldiers of firing at Indian border posts to provide cover for the extremists.
“There was heavy gunfire from the Pakistani side directed at Indian border posts,” Sangwan said. Indian soldiers returned fire, Sangwan said.
A different version of events came from the Pakistani side. A military official — who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media — said Indian forces fired first and Pakistani soldiers responded.
Neither side reported casualties.
India and Pakistan have fought two wars over control of Kashmir, the Himalayan territory that both claim in its entirety. More than a dozen militant groups have fought Indian forces since 1989, seeking independence for the Muslim-majority state or its merger with Pakistan.
In Srinagar, capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, hundreds of young men protested Indian rule hours after Republic Day celebrations ended.
Chanting “We want freedom” and “Indian forces leave Kashmir,” protesters hurled rocks at police and paramilitary soldiers at a dozen places, said police officer Sajad Ahmed.
Police fired tear gas and swung batons to disperse the demonstrators, Ahmed said, but no injuries were reported.
In India’s restive northeast, several separatist groups called for a boycott of national day, but thousands of people defied the strike and thronged to celebrations.
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