Delhi Police give all-clear after no suspicious bag found outside Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi: Delhi Police, which had earlier stepped up vigil around the Rashtrapati Bhavan after a tip-off about a “suspicious bag” outside the complex, has given all-clear after no such article was found following a thorough search of the area.

A high security alert was immediately sounded after an anonymous caller had alerted the police about a suspicious bag outside Gate No I of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

However, nothing was found there after a thorough search of the area, ANI reported.

The authorities had deployed a bomb squad and at least five fire tenders at the spot to manage the situation while an extensive search operation was carried out.

The security forces are on high alert in the national capital on Sunday on the eve of Independence Day, with some 45,000 personnel were deployed across the city.

Besides securing the Red Fort and its environs, security has also been stepped up across the capital, in particular shopping areas, malls and places where people gather in large numbers.

A ground-to-air security apparatus is in place around the 17th century Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation for a third time, officials said.

Police barriers have come up on scores of roads in Delhi to check vehicles and motorists.

Residential areas facing the Red Fort have also been sanitized. Both in Delhi and neighbouring areas, police have checked hotels and guest houses.

The Mughal monument and areas within a five-kilometre radius is being covered by about 9,000 security personnel from Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and the National Security Guard (NSG).

On Monday, scores of VVIPs will attend the Red Fort event. They will include senior political figures, diplomats and military personnel besides thousands of civilians including school students.

Besides ground personnel, an air defence mechanism has been put in place in and around the venue.

The main event during India's 70th Independence Day celebration on Monday will be held at the Red Fort.

Over 500 CCTVs have been installed in and around Red Fort. High-resolution cameras have been mounted on the sprawling monument.