Courtesy: rediff.com

New Delhi, Jan 26: Delhi Police Commissioner Dr K K Paul heaved a sigh of relief when the 57th Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully.

Thousands of countrymen led by President A P J Abdul Kalam, who took the salute on Rajpath, watched the parade.

Saudi Arabia King Abdullah was the chief guest at the parade.

Among others who witnessed the parade, included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani, Speaker of Lok Sabha Somnath Chatterjee and a host of other dignitaries and ambassadors of various countries.

The Delhi police had arrested two Bangladeshi terrorists from trans Yamuna area two days back, who had been sent by the Inter Service Intelligence of Pakistan to indulge in acts of terror.

Raids were conducted on various hotels and guesthouses to nab extremists who could have sneaked into the capital.

Special vigil had been mounted to look out for a missing ambassador car belonging to a member of Parliament with VVIP stickers. The car was stolen from south Delhi and senior officials of Delhi police and Intelligence Bureau had suspected that it may be used by terrorists to indulge in acts of terror.

Road blocks were specially errected in south Delhi to locate and nab the culprits who had stolen the car.

The Delhi Metro rail service between Delhi University and Central Secretariat was suspeded from 6 am to 12 in the afternoon as a precautionary measure.

"I am glad the whole thing is over," said a senior police officer when reached on phone.