Delhi on high alert ahead of Republic Day after ‘26-26’ threat inputs; security stepped up at key sites and transit points

NEW DELHI: Security agencies in the national capital were placed on high alert in the run-up to Republic Day following intelligence inputs warning of possible coordinated attacks on or before January 26, 2026—reportedly referenced by the codename “26-26”. The alert prompted stepped-up threat monitoring and additional checks at sensitive locations.

According to the report, agencies were told potential targets could include prominent religious sites such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Raghunath Temple in Jammu, alongside other locations that typically draw large crowds. The focus on high-footfall venues mirrors a standard counter-terror approach: protect symbolic sites while hardening soft targets like markets, transport hubs and public gatherings.

The alert came as Republic Day preparations were already underway—a period when Delhi routinely increases police deployments and surveillance. This year, officials reportedly strengthened measures at entry and exit points, including bus terminals and railway stations, and expanded on-ground verification drives to deter infiltration or reconnaissance.

The report said posters of wanted individuals were put up across Delhi and the wider National Capital Region to support identification and tip-offs. It named multiple suspects, describing some as having gone underground years earlier. Such public-facing measures are often paired with backend actions like call-data analysis, social-media scanning and coordination with intelligence units across states.

The report further claimed the threat was being planned with the involvement of Pakistan’s military intelligence via proscribed groups, and that Punjab-based criminal elements could be used as local facilitators. It also referenced broader concerns about threats from multiple extremist networks, with agencies treating the period around the national celebration as particularly sensitive.

Authorities did not announce any disruption to Republic Day programmes, but the high-alert posture signalled a familiar balancing act: ensuring a major constitutional celebration proceeds smoothly while tightening the security ring around high-visibility events and potential targets.