G20 summit: Delhi hotels set up with ‘armories’ to prevent terrorist attack

New Delhi: In an effort to ensure seamless ammunition supply in the event of a terrorist attack during the upcoming G20 summit, intelligence sources have revealed to the Times Of India team that special “armories” have been established in various city hotels.

These armories are designed to provide commandos with a constant stream of ammunition and other necessary equipment during an operation. Beyond bullets, these facilities will stock loaded magazines, medical supplies, stun and smoke grenades, wireless set chargers, and even backup weapons for the troops.

The initiative stems from concerns over ammunition shortages and faulty supplies encountered during the 26/11 anti-terror operation. An intelligence officer remarked, “Many of the suggestions made by veterans in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks have been incorporated to enhance security for the G20 summit. Most measures are aimed at eliminating surprises in the event of any contingency.”

The concept of these armories was conceived during a security preparedness meeting in Lutyens’ Delhi several months ago. “It was decided that a robust supply chain would be established as a backup for commando units. If an attack were to occur, the supply team would trail the primary unit with the necessary provisions. There would be no need to backtrack for supplies. This guarantees a smooth and unhindered operation,” explained another intelligence officer.

In addition to the armories, anti-drone systems have been installed on the rooftops of all participating hotels to neutralize any unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, detected in the vicinity. It is expected that Pragati Maidan will be declared a no-fly zone during the summit proceedings.

Among the 16 city hotels selected to host visiting dignitaries, including heads of state, comprehensive security measures have been put in place. These range from advanced intrusion alert systems and posture detection mechanisms to the deployment of deputy commissioner-level police officers as “venue commanders.” These commanders will coordinate with foreign security team members in conjunction with Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing officers.

Extensive verification of hotel staff has been conducted over multiple rounds. A distinct set of employees will be designated for each hotel floor, limiting their access solely to that floor at all times. This stringent approach is intended to ensure that security personnel only encounter staff who are “visually identified.” Specialized key cards programmed for entry and exit during the summit will be issued to staff members.

The hotels have reserved approximately three rooms for law enforcement and security personnel. Two of these rooms will be transformed into security control centers overseen by the venue commander. These enhancements are part of a meticulous security framework aimed at averting any adverse incidents during the international conference.