Security stepped up in Kashmir ahead of I-Day

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 13

Amid incidents of violence ahead of Independence Day celebrations, an unprecedented security cover has been put in place across the Valley to avert any untoward incident.

The police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Army have stepped up surveillance to foil any militant attempt to disrupt Independence Day celebrations.

Security forces have set up check points across the summer capital and other parts of the Valley to ensure peaceful Independence Day parade.

“The security grid is ready to respond to any challenge,” said Lt Gen Subrata Saha, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps.

Sources said the Jammu and Kashmir Police had deployed nearly 1,600 additional men in Srinagar city to avert any possible militant attack.

The deployment of police and paramilitary forces was intensified on roads and interiors of the city. They were frisking commuters and thoroughly checking vehicles passing on the roads.

The unprecedented security measures had been put in place in the wake of recent militant strikes in several parts of the Valley.

Since Wednesday evening, two blasts occurred in the Valley, which left over a dozen injured, including four securitymen.

“Security has been beefed up. The police and CRPF are jointly carrying out round-the-clock surprise nakas across Srinagar,” said CRPF spokesman Ashish Kumar Jha.

The main Independence Day function will be held at Bakshi Stadium, where Chief Minister Mufti Mohamamd Sayed is scheduled to unfurl the national flag.

Sharpshooters had been deployed at vantage points in residential areas around Bakshi Stadium. Some link roads leading to Bakshi Stadium were closed for traffic on Thursday.

Separatist groups called for a shutdown on Independence Day. The Army’s counter-insurgency units had been manning strategic points in towns and rural areas across the Valley round the clock.

“All strategic points where militants can possibly strike are being manned round the clock. Areas with suspicion of militant presence are under watch to thwart any disruption,” said an Army official.

The recent upsurge in militant presence and activities across the Valley had prompted security forces to impose stringent security measures that were relaxed for several years due to decline in militancy.

“The way frisking is being conducted reminds me of of peak days of militancy. They ask passengers to disembark buses and prove their identity at several places,” said commuter Mohammad Ashraf.