SECURITY INCREASED AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Security will be heightened throughout India in preparation for Independence Day on 15 August 2009. The government has deployed additional security forces to guard markets, cinemas, bus and railway terminals and tourist and religious sites in major cities. Airspace around Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport will be closed from 0600 to 1000 local time and from 1600 to 1900 local time on 15 August. No flights will be allowed to operate during the closures. Most airlines have rescheduled flights accordingly.