Why Delhi is on maximum alert: Putin’s visit and December anniversaries put security agencies on edge

Delhi Police

A multi-layered security blanket, driven by credible terror threats and a high-profile diplomatic visit, has been thrown over the national capital, placing security and intelligence agencies on their highest state of alert.

The alert, according to reports, began in early November and has been intensified for three specific periods: the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 4-5, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6 and the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack on December 13. The situation has been further exacerbated by a direct threat from the proscribed organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

The SFJ’s chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated the group intended to “celebrate Dec 13 as ‘Kashmir-Khalistan freedom day’.” In a video message, Pannun also called for a “strike Indian Parliament” on that date and urged certain parliamentarians to “internationalise the liberation of Punjab from India.”

The imminent visit of President Putin has triggered an unprecedented security mobilisation. Anti-drone systems have been deployed and special teams are conducting aerial and signal-level monitoring of the Russian delegation’s movements. Security cordons will be managed initially by Russian forces, followed by India’s National Security Guard and defence personnel.

Hotels in Lutyens’ Delhi hosting the dignitaries have undergone thorough sanitisation and are now equipped with advanced motion-detection cameras. Authorities have warned of significant traffic disruptions, with restrictions and diversions to be in effect on Thursday and Friday.

The current heightened posture stems from a security breach on November 10, when a car laden with explosives was driven through central Delhi, passing high-security zones like Connaught Place and India Gate, before a low-intensity explosion occurred near the Red Fort. This incident exposed critical vulnerabilities.

Interrogations of suspects detained in Delhi, Kashmir and Gujarat revealed the module had conducted detailed reconnaissance of vital installations and crowded markets such as Azadpur and Paharganj. In response, security has been massively intensified at major markets, metro hubs, malls and religious places.

A senior officer reportedly informed that the police brass was in close coordination with intelligence agencies to verify every input, resulting in a citywide deployment of additional personnel. This surge includes women officers working both in uniform and plain clothes. He added that the strategy was centred on maintaining high visibility, building public confidence and ensuring robust policing at major markets, malls, religious sites and all crowded areas.

CCTV surveillance has been significantly ramped up and the public has been urged to report anything suspicious immediately via the emergency number 112.