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Torch reaches locked-down Delhi Torch reaches locked-down Delhi
(40 minutes later)
The Olympic flame has reached the Indian capital Delhi from Pakistan amid tight security on the latest leg of its troubled tour before the Beijing Games. A huge security operation is under way in India's capital, Delhi, to protect the Olympic torch from protests on the latest leg of its troubled world tour.
Many Tibetans live in the country and they have announced plans to hold a parallel protest in Delhi. Some 15,000 police and commandos have secured the heart of the city along the truncated route of the torch relay.
Some 15,000 police and commandos have locked down the heart of the city where the torch relay will be held. India is home to the largest community of Tibetan exiles, as well as its government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama.
The flame's journey has so far seen chaotic scenes in London, Paris and San Francisco amid pro-Tibet protests. Earlier, Tibetan exile groups organised an alternative torch relay involving Indian politicians and celebrities.
That torch arrived at end of its journey, Jantar Mantar, surrounded by Tibetan flags, cameras and young Tibetan men wearing headbands with "Free Tibet" on them, says the BBC's Chris Morris.
Tibetans have been holding protests in the square for several weeks to highlight their opposition to China's policies in their homeland.
Symbolically, the alternative torch relay started at the memorial to the Indian independence leader and advocate of non-violent protests, Mahatma Gandhi.
Secret timingSecret timing
A least 50 Tibetans were detained by police at a rally in front of the Chinese embassy in Delhi on Wednesday. Later on Thursday, the official Olympic torch relay will be carried by about 70 people, including celebrities and sport stars, along a shortened route through the centre of Delhi.
DELHI TORCH ROUTE Indian officials announce on 3 April that route will be shortened on security groundsTorch to be carried along Rajpath from Presidential palace to India GateDELHI TORCH ROUTE Indian officials announce on 3 April that route will be shortened on security groundsTorch to be carried along Rajpath from Presidential palace to India Gate
The flame came through Delhi airport, where it was received by Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of the Indian Olympic Association. Apart from school children invited to watch, the public will be kept well away from the flame as it is carried along the ceremonial avenue, the Rajpath, from the Presidential palace to India Gate.
The torch was then driven along a route into the city lined with hundreds of police. The route was earlier trimmed to a third of its original 9km (5-mile) distance on security grounds.
No exact times have been given for the relay on Thursday amid fears of protests by the 100,000-strong Tibetan exile community. The authorities have also closed many main roads in central Delhi in the run-up to the ceremony, creating huge traffic jams, and sealed off the area for five hours.
The authorities have closed many main roads in central Delhi in the run-up to the ceremony, creating huge traffic jams. Police have also ordered workers in the many government offices overlooking the route not to look out of their windows to look at the ceremony because of the perceived security threat.
Police have ordered workers in government offices overlooking the route of the torch not to look out of their windows to witness the ceremony because of the perceived security threat. Security patrols have meanwhile been issued with blankets and fire extinguishers in case protesters set themselves on fire.
Police patrols have been issued with blankets and fire extinguishers to prevent protesters from setting themselves on fire.
India has trimmed the relay route to a third of the original 9-km (5-mile) distance.
All that is clear, the BBC's Alastair Lawson reports from Delhi, is that 70 people - including sports stars and actors - will carry the flame along the Rajpath - or King's path - the ceremonial avenue in central Delhi.
"We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," Junior Home Minister Shakeel Ahmed told reporters."We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," Junior Home Minister Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
Advertisement No exact times have been given for the relay amid fears of protests by India's 100,000-strong Tibetan exile community, some of whom have threatened to disrupt the event.
Around 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy a few hours before the torch arrived in the capital from Pakistan on Thursday.
Protests take place in Delhi ahead of the torch relayProtests take place in Delhi ahead of the torch relay
Other cities preparing to receive the torch are also making preparations. The flame was received at Delhi's airport by Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of the Indian Olympic Association, and was then driven along a route into the city lined with hundreds of police to a luxury hotel. Several protesters were detained outside.
The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says the Indian authorities are desperate for this difficult day to be over.
Other cities preparing to receive the torch are also making preparations following the chaotic scenes in London, Paris and San Francisco.
In the Australian capital, Canberra, police have been given extra powers to search those watching the relay for items such as guns and knives.In the Australian capital, Canberra, police have been given extra powers to search those watching the relay for items such as guns and knives.
There are fears of clashes between Chinese supporters and Tibetan groups protesting about their rights, with both sides planning to have a large presence at the Australian relay event next week.There are fears of clashes between Chinese supporters and Tibetan groups protesting about their rights, with both sides planning to have a large presence at the Australian relay event next week.
OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world Torch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official siteOLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world Torch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site
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