India parade honours Mumbai dead

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India has been celebrating its 60th Republic Day with the traditional Delhi parade and honours for six security officers killed in the Mumbai attacks.

Families of the officers received the awards - India's highest peacetime medals - from President Pratibha Patil.

About 20,000 security personnel were deployed around Delhi and the parade passed off peacefully.

The event took place without the presence of PM Manmohan Singh, who is recovering from heart surgery.

Gun battle

In all 11 security personnel were posthumously honoured with Ashok Chakra medals for losing their lives in acts of terrorism.

The concerted and well-planned attacks in Mumbai stand out as an example of a ruthless operation undertaken to damage the confidence of India President Pratibha Patil's address <a class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7850848.stm">In pictures: Republic Day</a>

Six were killed in Mumbai (Bombay) in November - attacks that left more than 170 dead and severely strained relations with Pakistan. Among those honoured was Hemant Karkare, the head of Mumbai's anti-terror squad.

Floats from each of India's states proceeded along Rajpath and on to the Red Fort in the colourful parade.

Thousands of security officials were deployed in Delhi to protect roads, railways and shopping centres.

Just 24 hours before the festivities, police shot dead two men in a gun battle close to Delhi.

Police said they believed the men were militants from Pakistan, possibly planning attacks to coincide with the holiday.

The identities of the men have not been confirmed.

The address at the parade was delivered by President Patil.

"The concerted and well-planned attacks in Mumbai stand out as an example of a ruthless operation undertaken to damage the confidence of India," she said.

"Countries must own up to their responsibilities."

The missing Mr Singh, 76, is continuing to make "excellent progress" after his heart bypass surgery at the weekend, doctors and officials said on Monday.

His role at the parade was taken by Defence Minister AK Antony.

Also missing were the bejewelled elephants - the three-decade tradition was dropped because of animal rights concerns and fears of unruly behaviour.

There was a near stampede by two elephants at last year's parade. Children feted for acts of bravery usually ride the elephants.

India gained independence from Britain in 1947 and celebrated its first Republic Day on 26 January, 1950.