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I-Day celebrated peacefully in J&K

India's 54th Independence Day was celebrated on Tuesday throughout the Kashmir valley amidst unprecedented security.

The main function was held at the heavily guarded Bakshi Stadium in the capital Srinagar where Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah unfurled the national Tricolour.

Reports of hoisting of the national flag at all district headquarters were also received.

An official spokesman said there was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the valley.

Srinagar, particularly the area around Bakshi Stadium, looked like a cantonment with security forces wearing bulletproof jackets and holding automatic weapons guarding the deserted streets.

Security personnel with binoculars were posted even atop buildings, to keep a close watch on localities adjoining the stadium.

Security forces were also seen patrolling the lanes and bylanes to scuttle any attempt by terrorists to fire rockets or grenades at the stadium.

Not a single civilian could be seen on the streets from morning till 1030 IST when the main function got over.

People from many localities in the Civil Lines and uptown Srinagar complained that security forces cordoned off their areas from early morning and did not allow them even to buy bread and milk.

The historic Lal Chowk was sealed from all sides from Monday evening. Border Security Force Inspector General of Police K Vijay Kumar hoisted the Tricolour in Lal Chowk.

The security forces were put on maximum alert following threats by the pro-Pakistani Hizbul Mujahideen to attack security force convoys and vital installations across the country, particularly in the state.

Security forces seized about 100 kilos of RDX and other explosives in the Kashmir valley over the past two days.

Officials said the explosives were meant to cause disturbances on the occasion of Independence Day and target politicians and senior civil, police and security force officials in the valley.

Shops and business establishments in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley remained closed on a general strike called by the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Streets wore a deserted look with only security force and press vehicles plying.

Meanwhile, a report from Jammu said the main function was held in the mini stadium where Minister for Education Mohammad Shafi Uri unfurled the national flag at 0900 IST amid tight security.

The time of the unfurling ceremony was disclosed only late last night for security reasons.

Recently, the Jammu police had arrested a militant named Bharat Kumar with a time device explosive. He had disclosed to the police that the ISI had set 1000 IST for targeting the parade venues on August 15.

There were reports of the Independence Day celebrations being held peacefully in Udhampur and Kathua districts too.

UNI

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