NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to all the people who lost their lives during the partition of India and Pakistan.

"Today, on #PartitionHorrorsRemembranceDay, I pay homage to all those who lost their lives during partition, and applaud the resilience as well as grit of all those who suffered during that tragic period of our history," Modi said in a tweet. The commemoration was in line with the Prime Minister's announcement last year that August 14 will be observed every year as the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

Prime Minister will address the nation after hoisting the flag at 7.30 am at the Red Fort in New Delhi on Independence Day. Heavy security has been deployed in the national capital. The country is under strict surveillance following the IB report that there is a possibility of a terrorist attack. There is also a warning that the new terrorist group Lashkar-e-Khalsa may attack during the flag hoisting ceremony.

About 7,000 guests, including Covid frontline workers, mortuary workers, roadside vendors and NCC cadets, will participate in the function. Students from more than 20 foreign countries will also participate. More than 10,000 policemen have been deployed to provide security. Drone surveillance has also been intensified. The tricolour is flying high across India with the nation proudly taking up the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. 20 crore national flags have been distributed by the Union Culture Department.

For the first time, the thunderous 21-gun salute — fired during the salute to the Tricolour at Red Fort on Independence Day — will be fired by the indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).