A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Dudu tehsil of Rajasthan was defaced on Monday with the name of militant group Islamic State written across it, even as the National Investigation Agency conducted nationwide raids and arrested at least 14 suspected terrorists over the last two days. Messages supporting the Islamic State were painted across the statue. Officials said the messages threatened of terror attacks that will be carried out on Republic Day.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar said a first information report has been filed and that officials were investigating the incident. "Efforts are being taken to ascertain the identity of the accused," the police added.

New Delhi and other parts of the country have been on alert since the terror attacks at the Pathankot air force base earlier this month. Security in the national capital has been amped up, with French President Francois Hollande being the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on Tuesday. The capital’s airport has been on alert as well, and a Jet Airways flight was grounded after officials received a bomb threat on Monday. All 104 passengers and seven airline staff aboard the flight were questioned and searched.