Security beefed up in valley

ASEM MOHIUDDIN. Dated: 8/14/2012 11:49:17 PM

Adequate measures in place to thwart any eventuality: Sahai

SRINAGAR, Aug 14: With the sudden spurt in militant attacks in Srinagar city and in other major towns of valley, the authorities have intensified the frisking and vigil to thwart any possible attack by the militants on the eve of Independence Day.
The police have occupied almost all the high-rise buildings around the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar where the main function of Independence Day is scheduled to take place. Sharpshooters have also been deployed to ensure that no rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attacks can be carried out towards the venue by militants.
Chief Minster, Omar Abdullah is scheduled to hoist the tri-color at Bakshi Stadium.
The traffic from main routes including Lal Chowk, Bakshi Stadium and its adjoining areas have also been diverted to other routes, therefore causing huge inconvenience to the people. The entire area around Bakshi stadium including Iqbal park have been seized with armored vehicles and concertina wire placed on the entry and exit points to restrict the civilian movement. In other parts of city, mostly in sensitive old town areas the concentration of troops has been increased to a significant level while the commuters are frisked at various points.
Well placed sources told Kashmir Times that authorities have maintained an extra vigil and intensified the frisking ahead of the August 15 celebrations following the “spectacular” rise in militant attacks in last few months.
They said compared to previous years which remained largely peaceful on militancy front, the security measures have been increased to a significant level across valley and particularly in Srinagar city.
“There is a possibility that militants may attempt to strike somewhere in Srinagar city and particularly around Bakshi stadium as they have managed to make inroads in city in last few months. So there would be no laxity and extra vigilance would be maintained to thwart any such attempt,” said a senior police official, wishing not to be named.
Official said that a heavy contingent of police and paramilitary forces would be deployed in and around the Bakshi Stadium. He said the volatile areas of Srinagar city would also remain under strict vigilance given to the sensitivity of situation.
“We have some inputs about the presence of militants in city. They have already showed their presence after carrying some successful and unsuccessful attacks. These militants may try to disrupt the Independence Day function,” official added.
Sources said that all the CCTV cameras installed in city have been activated to keep track of the activities going in city.
However, the Inspector General CRPF (Operations), B N Ramesh while terming the situation as “serious” said that frisking has been intensified from Jawahar Tunnel to Pantha Chowk area by paramilitary troops to avoid any intrusion by militants in city to disrupt the Independence Day functions.
He said that owing to presence of militants, there is possibility of anything to happen.
“Till last year there were very less militant attacks but it has witnessed surge in last few months. So we can’t say that nothing would happen unless the last militant in valley is killed,” he said and asserted the situation in north Kashmir normal and peaceful.
S M Sahai, IG police, said that all precautionary measures have been taken and the security arrangements are satisfactory.
‘We are fully prepared to meet any eventuality. Adequate security arrangements are in place to ensure that Independence Day function would pass off peacefully,” he said while ruling out any militant threat.
Pertinently, the authorities in valley sounded red alert following the killing of retired deputy superintendent police Abdul Hameed in Batamaloo area when he came out of mosque after offering congregational prayers on last Friday.

 

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