Forces put on high alert, high level meeting discuss Kalam's visit

Srinagar, July 26 (UNI) Security forces across the Jammu and Kashmir region have been put on high alert in view of the two-day visit of President APJ Abdul Kalam to Kashmir valley and Ladakh region from July 28.

Meanwhile, a high level meeting of senior security force officers discuss the President's visit following two-day general strike called by breakaway Hurriyat Confernce (HC) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

A security drill was conducted in which more than a dozen bullet proof cars participated. These cars with passes on their front window made a number of trips on Moulana Azad road, the road which will be used by the President Kalam.

Dr Kalam, during his visit is scheduled to address a joint session of the Jammu and Kashmir state Legislature. He will also attend a function to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Jammu and Kashmir High court on July 29, on the completion of 75 years.

Dr Kalam has visited all the three region--Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh--in June 2003. However, he visited the border areas of the state following the October 8 devastating earthquake.

At Leh, Dr Kalam is scheduled to attend a function and also address the gathering in the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre and Degree college Leh.

Security forces have put up road blocks and barbed wire at some places at Boulvard, on the bank of famed Dal Lake where a jawan, wearing bullet proof jacket holding automatic weapon is deployed after every ten feet.

A UNI correspondent who visited Dal Lake area today, two days before the visit of Dr Kalam, saw security forces frisking pedestrians and checking their identity cards. Nobody is being allowed to park his or her vehicle on the roadside.

We have been given orders to remain alert in view of the visit of President Kalam, security forces deployed at Boulvard road said.

Official sources said that intelligence inputs said that militants will try to strike during the visit.

They will try to strike soft targets to remain in news, sources said adding security forces are alert to foil their designs.

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