Delhi on high alert ahead of Republic Day after intelligence warning of ‘26-26’ terror plot: report
Security agencies in Delhi and the National Capital Region were placed on heightened alert after intelligence inputs warned of a coordinated terror attack around Republic Day, code-named ‘26-26’, according to a report. The alert prompted intensified monitoring and stepped-up security checks at key locations and transit points as authorities assessed potential targets and networks.
What the alert said
Delhi security agencies were put on high alert ahead of Republic Day following intelligence inputs warning of a coordinated terror attack on or before January 26, 2026, described with the codename “26-26”, a report said. Authorities treated the information as a serious threat indicator given the scale and visibility of Republic Day events.
As per the report, the inputs referenced the possibility of attacks extending beyond the capital, with certain religious sites and cities mentioned as potential targets. The overall assessment led to expanded surveillance and additional preventive steps in Delhi and nearby areas.
Security response in the capital
In response, agencies reportedly intensified monitoring and put additional checks in place at entry and exit points across Delhi and the NCR, including busy bus and railway stations. Security personnel were also tasked with increased patrolling, verification drives, and vigilance at crowded public locations.
The report said posters of wanted individuals were displayed at multiple places, as part of efforts to deter movement by suspects and to generate actionable leads. Such measures align with the broader Republic Day security posture, which is tightened every year and further escalated when specific intelligence inputs are received.
Why Republic Day triggers heightened security
Republic Day events in New Delhi are considered high-profile targets because they draw national leadership, foreign guests, large crowds and global media attention. That combination typically prompts multi-layered security deployments, restrictions on movement in sensitive zones and real-time coordination among multiple agencies.
The “26-26” warning added urgency to those arrangements. Agencies were said to be examining possible links, networks and communications tied to the threat, while keeping the city’s security grid in a heightened state of readiness.