Sharp shooters, commandos deployed in Kashmir on I-Day eve

Srinagar, Aug 14: Sharp shooters and commandos have been deployed in strength in all sensitive areas and vital installations in the summer capital and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir today on the eve of the Independence Day to thwart any attempt by militants to create large-scale disturbances in the state.

Security forces have detained more than 150 former militants and anti-social elements as preventive arrests in the entire Valley ahead of August 15.

Srinagar city wore a near deserted look as very less traffic plied and hardly few people were seen on the roads.

Though shops and other business establishments were open, only a few buyers visited them. Schools and colleges recorded very thin attendance. So did government departments, banks and other private establishments.

A large number of people from Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir have left for various tourist places in the Valley to ''escape the hassles of unprecedented security and threat of militant attacks''.

The authorities have sounded a terror alert across the state and put in place massive security arrangements. The entire summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has virtually turned into a fortress even as security personnel have been spread far and wide in the state to thwart any attempt by the militants to cause large-scale disturbances ahead of the Independence Day.

Both Srinagar and Jammu airports have been declared as the hyper-sensitive airports in the country. Frisking and checking of passengers, visitors and vehicles entering the Airport premises have been intensified and multi-tier security apparatus put in place.

Sharp shooters and commandos have taken positions at all sensitive areas and vital installations in the summer capital and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Armed with snipers and electronic surveillance gadgets, security forces could be seen on the roads manning every nook and corner of the summer capital and other parts of the Valley.

Barricades have been erected and all entry and exit points of congested lanes and by-lanes in the city, particularly downtown areas, blocked to prevent the free movement of militants.

A group of five to six security personnel could be seen after every five metres. They stopped and frisked pedestrians at several places and thoroughly checked all vehicles for explosives.

Surveillance cameras have also been installed at various places in the city to maintain a constant vigil over sensitive spots and suspicious persons. Sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service to detect hidden explosive devices.

A three-tier security has been put in place at the Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the August 15 celebrations, and declared out of bounds for civilians. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will take the salute and unfurl the tricolour there. All roads leading to the stadium have been closed and adjacent areas extensively searched to foil any attempt by ultras to disrupt the function.

Troops have been deployed on rooftops of buildings in the area to maintain a strict vigil over the stadium. Militants, in the past, have fired rocket propelled grenades from high rise buildings at the Bakshi Stadium.

In Jammu, the main function will be held at the Parade Ground, where Transport Minister Mangat Ram Sharma will take the salute and unfurl the tricolour. The venue has been completely sealed.

A massive security cover has been thrown in the 'City of Temples' to foil the nefarious designs of militants to disrupt the function.

Security personnel conducted searches of hotels and guest houses in the Jammu city to nab suspected militants and other anti-national elements. Security checks, thorough frisking and screening of vehicles were being carried out by troops at all entry and exit points in the temple city.

Security has also been upgraded at all district headquarters and the place where the tricolour would be unfurled.

According to a senior security official, they have received intelligence reports suggesting that militants might try to sabotage the Independence Day celebrations by carrying out terror attacks, including car bomb explosions, in various parts of the state.

He said the security forces have been put on maximum alert in the wake of the recent militant attacks in the Valley.

''We are on a high alert and determined to foil any attempt by the militants to cause large-scale disturbances as the Independence Day approaches,'' the official added.

He said the security personnel have been directed to launch extensive search operations in the ''most vulnerable and militant-prone areas'' in the state.

The personnel were seen questioning and verifying the antecedents of owners and employees of shops and other business establishments at the busy Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the Srinagar city.

Residents have been asked not to entertain ''unwanted guests'' and inform them about any suspected militants or their sympathisers.

For the past few days, security forces have been visiting the city hospitals regularly and inquiring about the patients admitted and their attendants.

As Kashmir turns into a virtual fortress ahead of August 15, it is picnic time for locals who have left for an outing at tourist spots and religious places.

All the world-famous tourist places such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Yusmarg and Patnitop have witnessed a huge rush of locals.

Hotels and guest houses in all these resorts have registered hundred per cent occupancy for the next three days.

UNI