Delhi has been placed under a "Red Alert" security status following the Centre's sanctioning of 53 additional companies (approximately 5,500 personnel) of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to fortify the capital. This unprecedented surge in boots on the ground comes in response to specific intelligence inputs regarding potential "high-impact" attacks by Khalistani and Bangladesh-based terror groups, coupled with a reported minor blast near the Red Fort area earlier this week.
The security grid is facing a dual challenge. While the skies are being secured against drone sabotage through strict airspace closures, the streets face a renewed test of "democratic dissent." The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced plans for a "Resistance Day" tractor parade, reviving memories of the 2021 unrest and forcing police to prepare for a volatile Republic Day.
The Context (How We Got Here)
- The Escalation: On December 25, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs sanctioned the extra paramilitary deployment citing threats of "lone wolf" attacks. This was validated on January 10, 2026, when the BSF seized a consignment of arms in Samba, Jammu & Kashmir, suspected to be part of a supply chain targeting the national capital.
- The Airspace Lockdown: To secure the aerial perimeter, a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued on January 15. It mandates the closure of Delhi airspace daily from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM between January 21 and January 26, disrupting approximately 600 commercial flights.
- The Protest Factor: On January 16, farmers' groups formally announced their intent to march, complicating the security calculus by adding a layer of mass civil movement to the existing terror threat.
The Reality Check
- The Rumor: "Delhi Airport is closed for six full days."
- The Fact: False. The airport is only closed for a specific window of approximately 2.5 hours daily (10:20 AM - 12:45 PM) to facilitate flypast rehearsals. Commercial flight operations continue normally outside these hours, though cascading delays are expected.
- The Status: The airspace is restricted, not shut down.
The Key Players (Who & So What)
- Rajesh Kumar Singh (Defence Secretary): The coordinator of the celebrations. He has announced the integration of the new "Safe City" surveillance systems for the parade, emphasizing a blend of "military might and cultural diversity" under the theme of "150 years of Vande Mataram."
- Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM): The internal pressure group. By announcing a "Tractor Parade" on Republic Day to protest new agriculture laws, they have created a tactical dilemma for the police: how to manage a protest without diverting resources from counter-terror operations.
- Delhi Police (Security Wing): The enforcers. They have issued extensive advisories closing key arteries like Kartavya Path and the C-Hexagon for rehearsals starting January 17, effectively placing Lutyens' Delhi under a lockdown.
The Social Pulse
- The Mood: Annoyed Patriotism. While citizens express pride in the event, there is palpable frustration regarding the "logistic nightmare" of commuting.
- The Viral Take: "Booking a flight in January is an extreme sport. Fog in the morning, airspace closure in the noon. Should I just take a bullock cart?" — A viral sentiment reflecting the passenger angst over anticipated delays.
The BIGSTORY Reframe (The "Two-Front" Nightmare)
While the cameras will focus on the French and European Chief Guests, the real story is the Hybrid Threat facing the security establishment.
For the first time since 2021, the police must secure the capital against two distinct vectors simultaneously:
- The External Front: Intelligence specifically flags "Bangladesh-based groups" alongside traditional western border threats. This signals a dangerous shift in the eastern security corridor, suggesting that the threat vectors are encircling the capital.
- The Internal Front: The farmer's protest is not a security threat in itself, but it stretches police resources thin. The "nightmare scenario" for strategists is a coordinated attempt by anti-national elements to blend into the protest crowds to bypass the security perimeter, using the chaos as cover.
The Future (The AI Angle)
This Republic Day marks the operational debut of Delhi's "Safe City" AI Grid.
- The Tech: Over 10,000 AI-enabled cameras are now active. Unlike standard CCTV, these systems utilize Sound Analytics to detect "distress sounds" (like screams or explosions) and Gesture Recognition to flag aggressive behavior.
- The Impact: The system creates "Tripwire" alerts—virtual fences that trigger an alarm in the command center if breached. This shifts policing from "reactive" (responding to a 100 call) to "predictive" (stopping an intrusion before it escalates).
Your Move
- For Flyers: If you are flying via Delhi (DEL) between January 21 and 26, avoid booking flights scheduled between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to prevent getting stuck in "holding pattern" delays. Check your flight status 24 hours in advance.
- For Commuters: Avoid the C-Hexagon (India Gate) area between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM all week. Use the Delhi Metro (Yellow and Violet lines) to bypass surface restrictions.
The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)
When a national celebration requires turning the capital into a fortress of AI surveillance and paramilitary troops, are we celebrating our freedom or our fear?
FAQs
1. Which roads are closed in Delhi for Republic Day rehearsals 2026? Key central Delhi arteries including Kartavya Path, Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Mansingh Road (C-Hexagon crossings) are closed to traffic daily from 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM until January 21 for rehearsals.
2. Are flights cancelled in Delhi for Republic Day 2026? Flights are not universally cancelled, but the airspace over Delhi is closed daily from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM between January 21 and 26. Flights scheduled during this window are being rescheduled or cancelled by airlines, affecting roughly 600 operations.
3. What is the terror threat for Republic Day 2026? Intelligence agencies have flagged specific threats from Khalistani and Bangladesh-based terror groups, warning of potential drone attacks, IED blasts in markets, and "lone wolf" strikes, prompting the deployment of 53 additional CAPF companies.
4. Why are farmers protesting on Republic Day 2026? The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced a "Tractor Parade" to mark "Resistance Day," protesting against the new VB-GRAMG Act and demanding legal guarantees for MSP, reviving the form of protest seen in 2021.
5. Is the Delhi Metro running on Republic Day? Yes, the Delhi Metro will run, but stations near the parade route (like Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan) will have restricted entry/exit during the parade hours in the morning.
Sources
News Coverage
Context & Analysis
Brajesh Mishra
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