Just days before Independence Day, a major security lapse has surfaced from Delhi’s Red Fort, prompting swift action from authorities. Seven police personnel, including a head constable, have been suspended with immediate effect after they failed to detect a dummy bomb during a routine security drill.
As part of standard preparations ahead of August 15, the Special Cell and Intelligence agencies have been conducting surprise mock drills to assess the alertness and preparedness of security forces. On Saturday, a team from the Delhi Police Special Staff entered the Red Fort premises in civilian clothes carrying a dummy explosive device. Despite the high-alert deployment in and around the Red Fort, the bomb went undetected by on-duty personnel.
Following the incident, Delhi Police suspended all seven officers involved for negligence. The drill was part of the ongoing efforts to tighten security ahead of the national celebrations, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation from the Red Fort.
DCP Raja Banthia, who is overseeing the security arrangements, has issued strict warnings to the remaining personnel, emphasizing the need for absolute vigilance. The failure to identify a mock threat in such a high-security zone has raised serious concerns about the preparedness of forces ahead of one of the most significant national events.
The Red Fort, being the central venue for the Independence Day event, is under constant surveillance and typically guarded by multiple layers of security. However, this breach has highlighted gaps that authorities are now racing to fix in time for the celebrations.
Further reviews of security protocols are underway, and additional drills are expected in the coming days to ensure foolproof arrangements for August 15.
