?Indian surface-to-air missile "Akash" roll through Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard, during the 69th Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Jan. 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)
NEW DELHI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- India Friday displayed its military might at its 69th Republic Day parade in the national capital.
The parade started in the morning under unprecedented security that included deployment of nearly 60,000 security personnel, anti-aircraft guns and snipers stationed on top of highrise buildings along the parade route amid terror threats.
The Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, as well as para-military forces, displayed their tanks, guns, aircraft and models of warships and submarines on Raj Path, an iconic road at the heart of Delhi facing Rashtrapati Bhawan (president's official residence).
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind took salute from the passing forces at the parade, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders from the 10 ASEAN nations looked on from a 100-feet wide bullet-proof enclosure.
What was eye-catching was spectacular motorcycle stunts by a 100-odd all-woman contingent of para-military Border Security Force.
The parade ended with spectacular displays by fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
