Delhi On High Alert, Government Employees' Leave Cancelled

Strollers at India Gate, the iconic war memorial, were asked to leave, and traffic there regulated. Announcements were made by police, asking people to vacate the area.NDTV reported.

District magistrates held meetings with their subordinates to review health and disaster management preparedness in case of any emergency, officials said.

Police will stay alert and will keep active. Night vigil has been intensified. We will deploy extra force in every sensitive area," a police officer said.

In a late evening order, the Delhi government's services department banned its employees from going on leave until further orders.

An official in the New Delhi district said that a review meeting was held to check the preparedness of the health department and the disaster management apparatus.

Another official in the East Delhi district administration said they are analysing the quick response mechanisms and identifying gaps.

Security was heightened across the national capital with additional forces, including paramilitary personnel, being deployed at key installations.

Police sources said special commissioners of all zones are holding meetings with the deputy commissioners of all 15 districts.

The security beef-up comes amid an armed conflict between India and Pakistan. The Pakistani military last night tried to target Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. The attempts were foiled, and a Pakistani air defence system was destroyed in Lahore.