Srinagar: The security apparatus across Indian administered Kashmir especially in Srinagar, the summer capital of the region, has been beefed up to ensure smooth passage of January 26 (Indian Republic Day) functions.
Sources said sharp shooters had been deployed on high rise buildings near Baskhi Stadium in Srinagar, where main function of January 26 will be held tomorrow. “Police and paramilitary soldiers have conducted house to house searches in the area around Bakshi Stadium. The commandos have been deployed in some high buildings to keep a watch on the movement of people,” they said.
They said the Close Circuit Cameras (CCC) installed in Srinagar had been activated and police officials were keeping a close vigil on the movement of people in Lal Chowk and other parts of the summer capital.
A police official, pleading anonymity, said the strength of police and paramilitary soldiers in Srinagar had been beefed up. “The Vehicles entering the city from outskirts are being searched at different places and travelers frisked and their identity cards properly checked,” he said.
“We are conducting random searches of vehicles instead of stopping every vehicle which enter the capital city. So far nothing was recovered. The searches will continue till late in the night and tomorrow morning also,” he said.
He said the security around all major government and military installations had been intensified. “More police, paramilitary and army men have been deployed in these places to thwart militants from carrying out any strikes,” he said.
A senior paramilitary CRPF official said despite decline in militancy, there were chances that militants may attempt to disrupt the January 26 function by resorting to violent means.
He said all necessary measures had been taken to tackle to deal with any eventuality. “The forces have been put on high alert,” he said.
He said militants in past have made attempts to disrupt the functioning on January 26 and August 15 and there are chances that they may repeat it again.
“We have taken precautionary measures to avoid any attempt of militants to strike on this day anywhere in valley. Although the militancy was at decline, there is no reason to show leniency on security matters,” he said.
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