India braces for Independence Day

Security in India is tight with agencies working on a strategy to foil attacks by Muslim militants during the celeberations

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- Security is tight at government buildings across India ahead of Independence Day celebrations with authorities saying they anticipate trouble from Islamic fundamentalist militants.

A heavy security presence is in place throughout the country, especially in the capital New Delhi and in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir, for India's 55th anniversary of independence from British rule on Thursday.

Security searches are taking place in Indian-controlled Kashmir with authorities warning militants had sneaked into the disputed region.

"Four suicide squads of 10 militants each belonging to Lashkar[-e-Taiba] and Jaish[-e-Mohammad] have sneaked into Srinagar city to carry out sensational attacks on vital government and security installations on the eve of Independence Day and the forthcoming Assembly polls", Inspector General of Police K Rajindra was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

Rajindra said in the report that intelligence information indicated the squads had already worked out the details of their attacks.

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In New Delhi, where most of the celebrations will take place, the city is also under a security blanket with a similar warning from Indian authorities saying they have received intelligence that separatist militants, including those active in Kashmir and the northeast of the country, are planning to disrupt the anniversary.

Fearing a September 11-styled attack, flights over the Indian capital will be suspended during Thursday's celebrations, while police and paramilitary sharpshooters will be placed at strategic offices to foil any terrorist attack, City Special Commissioner of Police (Security and Operations) S.K. Kain said.

Kain added that intelligence agencies have received information of possible suicide attacks by militants on the residences of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani and other government installations.

Air Force helicopters will patrol the route which the prime minister and other dignitaries will use to travel to the historic Red Fort for celebrations.

At the Red Fort every year, for the last 55 years, an Indian prime minister has hoisted the Indian tricolor.

When it comes to securing the Fort and other landmarks, New Delhi police say they are leaving little to chance.

Sales of the Indian tricolor have been on the rise since a ban on ordinary people owning one was lifted

"Almost 12,000 people are now deployed for the special Independence Day arrangements. The entire Delhi police is involved and they have been given specific instructions for that," Kain said.

Apart from the tight security, this year's Independence Day celebrations will have a new, slightly more colorful, tinge.

Last-minute shoppers flocked to shops in search of the Indian national flag.

Just this year, the government lifted a ban on ordinary people being able to fly the national flag.

Sales of the tricolor have been reported to be brisk.

-- CNN Correspondent Ram Ramgopal contributed to this report