AKIPRESS.COM - India is raising security levels nationwide as it prepares to celebrate its Independence Day on Saturday. Major commercial and government buildings are undergoing rigorous security sweeps and locations such as airports, metro and railway stations and cinema halls are under intense scrutiny, Channel NewsAsia reports.

The heightened security precautions are being taken following a recent spate of militant attacks believed to have been carried out by the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the northern Punjab and Kashmir regions.

Border security has also been strengthened. As many as 50,000 additional troops have reportedly been deployed along the international border to foil attempted infiltrations.

Intelligence agencies have also warned of growing Islamic State threat to India. The waving of the Islamic State flags by unidentified men in Kashmir is becoming more common and presents a great cause of concern for the government.

Despite elaborate arrangements being made nationwide, security still remains a challenge in view of multiple possible sources of security threats. But the Indian security establishment says it is confident that its high level of preparedness will ensure that it is well equipped to deal with any act of aggression.