Divisive politics will lead us nowhere: PM

Unprecedented security

Meanwhile, a thick security cover was thrown in various parts of the country on the eve of the big day, with crack teams of security personnel being placed at strategic locations to ward off any threats from terror groups and insurgents.

Anti-aircraft guns and medium machine guns were in place in the national capital, which will witness the main function on Friday when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hoist the tricolour and address the nation from the ramparts of the 17th-century Red Fort.

While the Mughal-built monument has been sealed five days in advance, raids were continuing in various places of the walled city after Intelligence agencies claimed a group of Lashker-e-Taiba led by one Faheem had managed to sneak into the capital to carry out strikes.

The national capital was virtually converted into an impregnable fortress with gun-toting personnel of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces guarding markets, railway bridges and tracks and flyovers.

Elite commandos of National Security Guard and ITBP were guarding the Red Fort.

Air space and rail traffic will come to an halt when the Prime Minister addresses the nation tomorrow.

In Jammu and Kashmir, security has been tightened as Intelligence reports suggested plans by militant groups to carry out a suicide attack at Bhakshi stadium where state Governor N N Vohra would be hoisting the national flag.

The situation in this militancy-hit state was already tense following agitation by separatists and traders. The Hurriyat Conference was planning to carry out "Muzaffarabad Chalo" march, an announcement for which was likely to be made Mirwaiz Umer Farooq during his address at the Friday congregation tomorrow.

In Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, tension mounted after Left wing extremists gave a call for a black out ahead of Independence day.

On the lookout

Being on the receiving end during past few weeks, following major strikes carried out by Naxals which included mowing down of over two dozen Grey Hounds of Andhra Pradesh Police and killing of policemen in Orissa, security at various police camps in these three states has been tightened.

In Mumbai, security has been beefed up at important places in the commercial capital with reports suggesting that Pakistan-based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed may attempt to strike.

"Security in the city has been increased after the recent bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore. All police officials have been directed to be on high alert," Joint Commissioner Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad said.

Security at vital installations like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai and the Kalpakkam nuclear project in Tamil Nadu has been enhanced with the deployment of additional contingents of security personnel.

Key facilities in Bangalore and Hyderabad -- the IT hubs of the country -- were also given extra security cover following reports that militants might target them. More security personnel were being deployed in Bangalore, which saw a series of blasts last month.

In Gujarat, security was beefed up in various cities including Ahmedabad where people fell victim to senseless serial blasts triggered by Indian Mujahideen, a shadow conglomerate of banned SIMI and Lashker, last month.

Security has also been beefed in the northeastern states following a boycott call of Independence Day celebrations by four militant groups.