SRINAGAR, JAN 25: Scores of government forces were deployed in and around Srinagar to prevent militant attack ahead of 26th January. Heavy deployment of security personnel in and around Srinagar has visibly increased, and barricades and security check posts have been set up at several points.
Commuters coming to the summer capital being frisked and searched by government forces. Police in large numbers were seen frisking passengers near the civil secretariat here as vehicles were stopped and searched.
A commuter from Tangmarg said that a huge number of policemen were deployed at Parimpora-Qamarwari near Fairdeal Motors on the Srinagar-Muzafarabad highway. “The cops stopped many vehicles and checked the passengers’ identity cards,” he said, wishing for anonymity.
“The highway was almost blocked as the vehicles were positioned on the main road,” he added. In Batamaloo area, a large number of cops were seen stopping vehicles near Pinchi Mandi from the early morning and verifying the identity of commuters.
People from Lal Bazaar said the police was checking vehicles near Mill Stop. A police officer posted in Srinagar said forces have taken several measures to foil any militant attack ahead of the January 26.
“Frisking and search operations will intensify from Friday,” he said. A high alert has been sounded across the Valley, while tight security arrangements have been made in and around Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.
The main function on Jan 26 will be held in Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium where Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Baseer Khan presided over the parade from march-past contingents. Various functions will also be held at district headquarters across J&K.
The security establishment has also deployed sharp shooters on top of various buildings in different areas around Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium to avert any untoward incident.
The police official revealed that at least eight to ten cordon-and-search operations were being conducted across Srinagar in past few days.
The police were joined by paramilitary CRPF personnel in the city while, in the periphery, army soldiers also stationed their vehicles on highways and were seen on alert.
“It is a normal feature to beef up security on the eve of the January 26 occasions,” said Rajesh Yadav, the CRPF spokesperson. “These steps are taken for safety.” He, however, claimed that “no new orders (in this regard) were issued”.
In north Kashmir, government forces have installed mobile check posts on Uri, Srinagar, Kupwara, Sopore and Bandipora roads for the past few days and are asking for identity cards and checking all private and state-run vehicles. At some places, people are being asked to alight from their vehicles and are allowed to go only after a thorough check-up of their vehicle and identity cards, including the vehicle’s registration number. Some youths are asked to report to the nearest police station.
Dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here was held despite snowfall and extreme cold, they said. They said the contingents of police and other forces marched past the national flag.
Similar rehearsal was held at other district headquarters, the officials said. Closed circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance, low flying drones and high-tech access control equipments are in place to ensure that militants are prevented from disrupting the official functions to be held in Srinagar on Saturday. Traffic has been suspended on some roads in Srinagar.
Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, an advisor of the Governor, will unfurl the national flag and take salute at the main Republic Day parade at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar on Saturday. The hillock overlooking the stadium has been taken over by police and paramilitary commandos. (PTK)