Central intelligence agencies had informed the SPG and anti-terror units a few weeks ago about the possibility of coordinated attacks on August 15.  The security agencies have advised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation from within a bulletproof enclosure at Red Fort this Independence Day. Intelligence agencies and the Special Protection Group had made a strong pitch to national security adviser Ajit Doval in this regard.

They hope that the PM would not ignore the advisory as the threat perception is "extremely high". If the PM heed the caution, then it might be the first time that he would be allowing this kind of security around him. Last year and the year before, Modi, in a last-minute decision, had decided to do away with the bulletproof enclosure while giving his speech.

Apart from Islamic State and al Qaida, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and splinter groups like Hizbul Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami have been plotting to target Modi.

Two inputs about al-Qaida and ISIS planning to target Army and police establishments have already been shared. The police, therefore, have chalked out an "unprecedented security arrangement" this time. Central intelligence agencies has informed the SPG and anti-terror units a few weeks ago about the possibility of coordinated attacks on August 15 and a higher possibility of a lonewolf attack.

Several drills have been carried out and commandos and spotters have been deployed at strategic locations to keep the PM out of the range of most short and long-range weapons. The innermost cordon has been specially trained in this aspect.

PM speaking from within bulletproof enclosures became a tradition after Indira Gandhi's assassination. But in 2014, Modi had bucked this trend in his maiden Independence Day speech as PM.

By Premji