Delhi Police’s Republic Day warning posters on January 26 featured a picture of a terrorist identified as Mohammed Rehan, an Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist from Delhi. For the first time, a photograph of the terrorist has been included, an official told news agency ANI.
Mohammed Rehan is a wanted terrorist by the Delhi Police and intelligence agencies, according to the Delhi Police.
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The Delhi Police has deployed a large-scale, technology-driven security apparatus across Kartavya Path and the entire New Delhi district, in response to numerous tips regarding terror-related threats received from intelligence agencies ahead of next week’s 77th Republic Day celebrations.
This year, the seating areas of the Republic Day celebrations were named after Indian rivers. Several important changes have also been made to the security deployment pattern to keep guest comfort and safety in mind.
According to Additional Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, Devesh Kumar Mahala, a multi-layered security cordon involving Delhi Police and paramilitary forces has been deployed in the Kartavya Path area. The entire area is under surveillance through an extensive network of CCTV cameras integrated with an advanced facial recognition system (FRS).
Delhi Police’s Republic Day warning posters on January 26 featured a picture of a terrorist identified as Mohammed Rehan, an Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist from Delhi. For the first time, a photograph of the terrorist has been included, an official told news agency ANI.
He further said that around 10,000 police personnel will be deployed on this national day and briefings have been held nine times on site.
“Republic Day is celebrated at a fixed time and is being observed on the Kartva Trail. Keeping this in mind, there is a protocol of safety standards that has been put in place. About 10,000 policemen will be on duty. We have conducted briefings and rehearsals at the spot nine times,” Mahala told ANI.
In addition, anti-drone units were deployed for aerial surveillance and sniper teams were deployed in high-rise buildings. In order to prevent possible threats, an intensive verification drive of hotels, guesthouses, tenants and household helpers is taking place in the district.
Pedestrians will go through at least three levels of security screening through Door Metal Detectors (DFMD) during the Republic Day celebrations.
“Pedestrians will be screened (DFMD) at least three times. There will be soft check at four places. Similarly, vehicles will be checked. There will be a lot of patrols in the inner, middle and outer cordon. Border patrols and even district patrols will be checked,” added Mahala.
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Discussing the Republic Day preparations, SI Kuldeep Yadav from the control room said that nearly 1,000 cameras have been installed to identify potential threats and challenges.
“Nearly 1,000 cameras have been installed to identify threats and challenges. An AI and FRS system has been used to alert if it detects any individual with a criminal background. If suspicious or stolen vehicles are detected, the high-definition cameras will send an alert and we will apprehend them immediately. Sufficient personnel are constantly monitoring everything,” Yadav told ANI.
In addition, the police also appeals to all invited guests and ticket holders to carefully read the information on their invitations and strictly follow the marked routes. Complete information on routes, parking and enclosures is available on the Ministry of Defense and Delhi Police websites.
The New Delhi District Police appeals to citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel or call 112.
Republic Day 2026
The Republic Day 2026 celebrations at Kartavya Path on January 26, 2026 will be a unique blend of 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s military strength and cultural diversity, officials said.
Read also | Republic Day 2026: What’s new and different in this year’s parade
This will be the first Republic Day parade after Operation Sindoor – India’s precision strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir as a result of Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April last year.
First time in ‘phased battlefield’ formation
Republic Day is celebrated at a fixed time and is observed on the Kartavya trail. With this in mind, there is a security standard protocol that has been implemented.
Officials told news agency PTI that in the new format introduced this year, including key army assets native platformsaccompanied by a staff, will roll down the Kartavya Path in “phased battle formation”.
This means they will move down for the first time festive boulevard in formation as would be the case in any battle scenario, starting with reconnaissance, followed by other military units such as logisticians and personnel accompanying these platforms, who will be seen in battle gear, the officials said, according to news agency PTI. this new format aims to make viewing the parade more engaging for viewers.
