NEWS

J&K: Independence Day security tightened

By Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar
August 08, 2007 13:35 IST
Ahead of the 60th Independence Day celebrations in Kashmir on August 15, extra ordinary security arrangements have been made to thwart militants' attempts to disrupt the official functions.

"All our operations are now two-pronged. We have the physical component and also the intelligence component. Even our random searches those are taking place across the city these days are based on hard intelligence," said a senior police officer in Srinagar.

"It is because of this co-ordinated exercise that we have been able to maintain a modicum of peace in the city," said Farooq Ahmad, deputy inspector general of police, Kashmir.

With reports that infiltration into the state from across the borders has registered an increase in 2007 over the same period last year, the authorities have started cordon and search operations ahead of August 15th.

All residential areas around the Bakshi Stadium, where the main official parade is scheduled to be held on August 15, are being thoroughly searched, vehicles stopped for frisking of the occupants and frequent searches of pedestrians undertaken to ensure that the militants do not succeed in disrupting the official functions.

Areas in other parts of capital city including the busy city centre, the hub of commercial activity in the capital are being subjected to repeated cordon and search operations which causes jamming of roads in Srinagar.

The separatists have called for a protest shut down on August 15.
Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar

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