SECURITY TIGHTENED AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

On 6 August 2009 the Indian government heightened security after receiving intelligence that Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based Islamist militant group, is planning to target Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad ahead of India's Independence Day on 15 August. The Intelligence Bureau obtained the information while interrogating alleged LeT militants who were arrested in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Delhi Police force has tightened security at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Metro and railway stations, bus terminals, busy marketplaces and religious sites. In addition, the government has restricted airspace in some areas of Delhi. Security will be especially tight in Old Delhi on 15 August, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to attend an Independence Day event at the Red Fort. In a separate development on 6 August, the Delhi police force arrested two suspected Hizbul Mujahideen operatives in the Daryaganj area of Central Delhi who were allegedly planning to launch attacks on Independence Day. The suspects had weapons, ammunition and two grenades. Both men are reportedly Indian citizens who had received training in Pakistan. Hizbul Mujahideen is a Pakistan-based militant group that has mainly carried out attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir.