Sharp shooters from different security agencies have been deployed in and around the venues for the 74th Independence Day (ID) being celebrated on Sunday in Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, where militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) struck on Friday morning, killing two police personnel and injured another.
We have made unprecedented security arrangements for the ID celebrations in Srinagar and other district and tehsil headquarters where national flag will be unfurled and march past held tomorrow, an official said.
The main ID function will be held at S K Cricket Stadium in high security zone Sonawar, where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha will on Saturday hoist the tri-colour and take salute at the march past. The full dress rehearsal was held on Thursday under tight security arrangements.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said security forces always remain on high alert in the valley, where security situation is always challenging.
Speaking to reporters at Nowgam, where two police personnel were killed and another injured in JeM attack today, said security and other arrangements for the ID celebrations in the valley are in place and expressed hope that everything will be peaceful.
Meanwhile, a UNI correspondent, who visited the S K stadium today, saw large number of security force and police personnel deployed in and around the venue for main function. Sharp shooters from different security agencies have been deployed, keeping a close vigil on all pedestrian and vehicles with the help of binoculars besides holding automatic weapons. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service to make sure the area adjacent to stadium is safe.
All roads around the stadium have been closed by security forces. Road blocks, barbed wire and barricades were placed on the roads to prevent any militant attempt to disrupt the ID function. Road leading to the stadium at Radio Kashmir crossing has been closed with barbed wire and other barricades and people were being directed to take alternative Dalgate route. Similarly road was also closed at Rammunshi Bagh and no vehicle was being allowed towards stadium.
A large number of security forces also remained deployed on Dalgate and Sonawar roads though private vehicles were plying. Army personnel were seen patrolling Cantonment road from Sonawar to Pantha Chowk, including headquarters of 15 Corps.
The ID and Republic Day (RD) functions were held in Bakshi stadium in the uptown. However, due to renovation of the stadium, these functions are now held at S K Stadium. In 90s, militants used to fire rockets and grenades towards Bakshi stadium during these functions.
Senior CRPF personnel were seen patrolling in the civil lines, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, Gantaghar and Amira Kadal. The officers directed the field commander in these areas to remain on high alert to foil any militant attack. The directive came hours after JeM militant attack in Nowgam bypass area of Srinagar left two police personnel dead and another injured.
Security around vital installations has also been further tightened in Srinagar.
Reports of unprecedented security arrangements were also received from other major district and tehsil headquarters, where ID functions will be held tomorrow.