India celebrates 63th Republic Day with military parade

India has celebrated its 63rd Republic Day showing off its latest weapons at a military parade in the capital, Delhi. Thousands of pe...

India has celebrated its 63rd Republic Day showing off its latest weapons at a military parade in the capital, Delhi.

Thousands of people turned up at Rajpath (King's Avenue) to watch the colourful parade amid tight security.

More than

25,000 policemen and paramilitary forces guarded the streets of Delhi and snipers were deployed on high-rise building.

The president and the PM attended the show with the chief guest, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Security is tight across India and thousands of policemen have been deployed in major cities and towns.

Security has been stepped up in Indian-administered Kashmir where police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers at Bakshi Stadium, the venue of the Republic Day celebrations, in Srinagar city.

Kashmir, which has seen a long insurgency against the Indian rule, is observing the day as "Black Day".

Internet and mobile phone services have been jammed to prevent their use by militant groups, officials say.

Sporadic violence broke out in the summer capital, Srinagar, as small groups of young men pelted stones at security forces, the BBC's Riyaz Masroor in Srinagar reported.

Tight security

On Thursday morning, Delhi resembled a fortress with a multi-layered security ring in place at Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil unfurled the Indian flag and took the salute of marching contingents, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Officials said 160 closed-circuit cameras were installed between Rajpath and Red Fort, the route of the parade.

Anti-aircraft guns were placed at several places and helicopters hovered over the parade route.

At the parade, the army displayed its tanks and missile launchers.

The nuclear capable Agni-IV missile with a range of 3,000km (1,864 miles), which was successfully tested last November, was cheered by the public, reports said.

Smaller parades have also been held in the state capitals.

Reports say 40,000 policemen are keeping vigil in the financial capital, Mumbai, which has seen several high-profile militant attacks in recent years.

Security has also been stepped up in the north-eastern state of Assam where several insurgent groups are active.

BBC

Photos of 63th Republic Day from various sources:


	Soldiers participate in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2012. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day under heavy security and a large military parade, with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest of the event.

Indian Border Security Force soldiers ride camels down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2012. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day under heavy security and a large military parade, with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest of the event.

Agni IV missiles are displayed at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2012. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day under heavy security and a large military parade, with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest of the event.

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (4th R) and India's President Pratibha Patil (3rd R) greet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (in blue turban) upon their arrival at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26. 2012. Shinawatra is on a three-day state visit to India and is a chief guest at India's 63rd Republic Day celebrations on Thursday.

Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh (L) is surrounded by heavy security as he arrives at the venue of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2012. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day under heavy security and a large military parade, with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest of the event.

Indian army tank 72 roll down Rajpath road during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2012. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day under heavy security and a large military parade, with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest of the event.

An Indian army soldier salutes dignitaries as he rides in a truck carrying SMERCH rockets on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking it's 62nd Republic Day with military parades across the country.


	Agni IV missiles are displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2012. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day under heavy security and a large military parade, with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest of the event.

In this hand out picture released by Defense Public Relations office, Indian soldiers march in formation on Rajpath as India Air force helicopters fly by during the main Republic Day parade, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking it's 62nd Republic Day with parades across the country.

An Agni IV missile capable of carrying nuclear warhead and a range of 2,500-3,500 kilometers is displayed during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking its 62nd Republic Day with military parades across the country.