Fidayeen scare disrupts I-Day function in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 15: The main Independence Day function at the Bakshi Stadium here was called off midway today following the intelligence reports suggesting that a 'fidayeen (suicide bomber)' had sneaked into the venue triggering panic among the authorities and the people, sources said.

They said security forces seized a police uniform (raincoat) near Iqbal Park here when the I-Day function was in progress.

The security agencies immediately swung into action and declared an alert in the entire area.

The sources said the security agencies believed that a fidayeen had sneaked into the Stadium and might launch attack anytime. They informed the higher authorities who then decided to call off the function midway.

A cultural programme by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was in progress when the announcement was made that the function has been called off due to ''bad weather''.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had already unfurled the Tricolour and taken the salute.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma was seen saying something in ears to Mr Azad who was then immediately evacuated. The entire ''episode'' triggered panic among the authorities and the people who were today present in large number to witness the function.

The sources said the security forces later arrested a police constable and took him for questioning.

However, an official spokesman later termed ''unfounded'' reports in a section of the media suggesting that the function had been called off midway due to the security-related problem. ''Because of bad weather and slippery ground, the last item of motor cycle display had to be cancelled to prevent any accident during the programme. This had been construed by some mediapersons as calling off the function midway because of security-related problem,'' he added.

The spokesman said the Independence day functions throughout the state concluded peacefully.

He said the main function was held at the Bakshi stadium here where a gathering of about 20,000-25,000 people attended. Mr Azad took the salute of the march past and unfurled the national flag.

The spokesman said among those present were former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Bashir ahmed Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather, Legislative Council Chairman Abdul Rashid Dar, XV Corps General Officer-in-Commanding Lt Gen S S Dhillon, MLAs, MLCs, senior Army, para-military, civil and police officials.

He said various contingents from para-military forces, police and schools took part in the march past.

The function concluded with the presentation of various cultural programmes by the school children, the spokesman added.

UNI