Worried parents express concern over spurt in grenade attacks

Srinagar, Mar 5 (UNI) Parents of several students today expressed concern over the increase in grenade attacks over the past two days as schools in the Kashmir division re-open tomorrow after a winter vacation of nearly three months.

Meanwhile, security has been strengthened in entire Kashmir following a series of grenade attacks in different parts of the Valley since last evening, official sources said.

''We were very happy that the schools were re-opening tomorrow after a three-month vacation. But with the increase in grenade attacks in the Valley, particularly the Srinagar city, since last evening, we are worried about the safety of our children,'' said Mansoor Ahmed Mir, a parent.

A worried Mir said his two minor daughters would be going to a school which is about 10 km from their residence at Sonawar here.

''In case of any incident it will be difficult for me or my wife to get back the children who are left at the mercy of God in such situation,'' he added.

''Tension starts in the morning once the school vehicle comes to pick them up and it remains there till they return. This has become a routine and has affected the health of many parents,'' Mir said.

A senior police official told UNI that security has been beefed up in the entire Kashmir valley in view of the increase in militancy-related incidents over the past two days.

Security agencies and personnel across the state have been asked to be in a state of high alert following intelligence reports that militants were planning to carry out terror attacks, including car bomb explosions, in various parts of the Valley.

Surveillance cameras have been installed at various places in Srinagar to maintain constant vigil over sensitive spots and suspicious persons.

Sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service to detect hidden explosive devices.

The security official said the situation in the Valley was fast returning to normalcy, but asserted that there was a need to remain vigilant against anti-national elements who were trying hard to retard the peace process to serve their own vested interest.

UNI AG YSS RR VC1916