New Delhi: A mock infiltration exercise at the Red Fort has raised fresh concerns over security arrangements ahead of Independence Day celebrations on August 15, reported Hindustan Times.
In the third such lapse in recent days, a ‘dummy terrorist’ from the Delhi Police Special Cell had allegedly managed to infiltrate the high-security premises undetected, carrying imitation explosives all the way to the children’s enclosure.
According to the news report, the dummy operative entered the premises on Friday evening by scaling a wall near a petrol pump on Nishad Raj Road. He roamed freely inside the secure zone, took selfies, recorded videos amongst security personnel, and exited without being stopped.
No action yet against erring officials
Despite the breach, no disciplinary action had been taken as of Sunday. The photographs and videos of the dummy operative inside the Red Fort were later sent by the Special Cell to the Delhi Police headquarters. A communication regarding the breach was also forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Security Unit, as per standard protocol, says a media report.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia, speaking to the media, downplayed the lapse, saying, “We continue to do them to rule out any shortcomings, and we have conducted several successful drills where the mock operatives were caught.”
Similar breach on Aug 5
when a dummy bomb planted during a similar drill went undetected. As a result, seven police personnel, including constables and head constables, assigned to Red Fort security, were suspended.
“A team of the Special Cell conducted a drill on Saturday in which they entered the Red Fort premises in civil dress with a dummy bomb. At that time, the policemen deployed for the security of the Red Fort could not trace the bomb, due to which they were suspended,” Delhi Police said.
Successful drills amid lapses
Officials emphasised that several mock drills have been successfully conducted in the lead-up to the national celebrations. One officer noted that at least 15 exercises had gone according to plan.
“Three subversion attempt mock drills and two dummy infiltration drills by the Special Branch, nine dummy infiltration attempts by the local vigilance branch, and one subversion attempt mock drill of the Special Cell have been successful, in which the dummy suspects were caught,” the officer said.
Ongoing drills ahead of August 15
The Delhi Police have been conducting daily security drills at the Red Fort to identify vulnerabilities ahead of Independence Day. However, repeated lapses, such as dummy bombs going undetected and mock infiltrators accessing sensitive zones-have raised questions over preparedness and accountability.
Despite corrective measures being taken after each breach, officials have yet to confirm any long-term revisions to current protocols or further disciplinary action.