Months After Terror Attack, Red Fort Complex Set to Get First CCTV Cameras for Security

The Red Fort Complex will finally receive its first CCTV cameras, used to enhance the security and monitoring of the area, something delayed by nearly seven years due to the opposition of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), but finally forced through in the wake of the November 10 terror attack in the surrounding area of the ASI-protected 17th century building.

People conversant with the issue who were not to be named have said that the ruling was arrived at following a series of meetings between the officials of the Intelligence Bureau, the ASI, the Delhi Police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which offers security within the fort as well as the Union home ministry.

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“In the first phase, a total of 150 CCTV cameras are being installed. Until now, there was not a single camera within the complex. ASI has approved the proposal and will be closely assisting with the installation,” an official aware of the matter said, asking not to be named.

“Inputs received by agencies in the last few months, the suicide attack, and the chatter after Operation Sindoor suggest that terror groups, especially the Jaish-e-Mohammed are desperate to attack the Red Fort,” the official added.

The other security measures that have been resolved are increased number of police at entry gates, and high mast flood lights in two parks outside the ramparts of the fort, August 15 Park and Madhav Das Park.

“The security forces and police have got permission to install the lights in such a way that it does not affect the monument in any way. The installation work there will be complete within the next week. This, added to the CCTV cameras at the identified areas, will mean there are no vulnerable spots,” added the official cited above.

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Operation Sindoor is the Indian military action towards the Pahalgam terror attack, and it was aimed at terror bases in Pakistan. November 10 terror attack where 11 individuals including the suicide bomber lost their lives was perpetrated by the so called Pulwama-Faridabad terror module the majority of which are doctors.

“During the probe of suicide bomber Umar un Nabi, the CCTV footage of the parking lot next to the Sunheri Mosque showed that he was inside for almost three hours with the explosives-laden vehicle. The parking lot is adjacent to a wall of the Red Fort. From the multiple CCTV cameras within the complex and the movement of the bomber, we suspect he was trying to orchestrate an attack on the Red Fort. Terror groups have been obsessed with the Red Fort,” had also included a second official who requested that they should not be named.

The official articulated the fact that Nabi might not have chosen to drop the bomb in that place since little would have been lost. “It was impossible for Nabi to leave the parking with the car and drive towards the main entrance where civilians assemble because civilian and tourist vehicles cannot cross the Delhi Gate entrance (used by security forces) to reach the main entrance (where vehicle movement is prohibited) from the parking lot. He would have been stopped twice.”

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