India celebrates its 60th Republic Day amid tight security - Summary

New Delhi - India showcased its military might and vibrant cultural heritage Tuesday in the capital as the country celebrated its 60th Republic Day amid militant and secessionist violence. Security forces foiled attempts by separatist militants to infiltrate India-administered Kashmir, Indian border security officials said.

Troops exchanged fire at two places in the southern region of Jammu and the intruders fled back into Pakistani territory, they said.

In the troubled north-east, secessionist rebels carried out three bombings in Manipur, injuring four people, while troops killed three guerrillas in Assam Monday night, the IANS news agency reported.

Insurgents abducted seven policemen and wounded five in an attack in eastern West Bengal and torched vehicles and ransacked offices in Orissa and central Chhattisgarh, the report said.

Separatist groups in north-eastern India and Maoists had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations.

India celebrates January 26 every year to commemorate the day it adopted its constitution in 1950. It is marked by military parades and cultural pageants across the country.

The main celebrations were held in fog-bound New Delhi with a parade on the avenue that links the Presidential Palace and the India Gate.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak was the guest of honor. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, dignitaries and chiefs of India's armed forces were in attendance.

The military displayed its armory, including the indigenous Arjun tank, the Smerch multiple-launch rocket system and the Samyukta electronic warfare system.

India's most powerful nuclear-capable Agni III missile with a range of up to 3,500 kilometers, the hypersonic Shaurya missile and the light-combat Tejas aircraft were also showcased.

Colorful tableaux depicting the diverse culture of India's states and performances by folk dancers and school children followed the marching troops.

The parade ended with an aviation display by huge IL-76 transport aircraft, and Sukhoi-30 and Jaguar combat jets.

The celebrations were held amid heavy security after intelligence agencies warned of terrorist threats and possible aircraft hijacking attempts by Islamist militants. More than 18,000 police and paramilitary troops were deployed in New Delhi.

Other Indian cities and towns - particularly in India-administered Kashmir and the country's financial hub, Mumbai - were also on high alert and held celebrations under heavy security.

Nearly 42,000 police were on guard in Mumbai, which witnessed a militant attack in 2008 that killed 166 people.

Indian Kashmir's state capital Srinagar observed a shutdown in response to a call by the main separatist alliance, the Hurriyat Conference which described it as a "Black Day."

Security forces in Kashmir earlier said they foiled a major attack by separatist rebels with the recovery of a huge cache of arms and explosives, which they claimed were to be used on January 26.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/305840,india-celebrates-its-60th-republic-day-amid-tight-security--summary.html.