CRPF and police conduct random searches in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 12 (UNI) Security forces in the civil line areas were on their toes today, conducting random search operations, following intelligence inputs about a possible militant attack today.

People in the busy shopping centre, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS) were taken by surprise when suddenly Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir police sealed it from all sides shortly before Friday prayers.

Traffic on the most busy route was suspended after the road was sealed at Amira Kadal to Jehangir Chowk. The traffic was later diverted leading to traffic jams.

Security forces were seen holding automatic weapons, guarding the bylanes in the area.

Shopkeepers, their customers and pedestrians were directed to stand in queues as nobody, including women and children, was allowed to leave the area.

However, they were later allowed to leave the cordoned off area after they were frisked.

Normalcy returned in the area after the cordon was lifted.

However, people were again surprised when the entire area was again sealed from all side after the Friday prayers were over.

Everyone present in the cordoned off area has to go through frisking and prove his identity that he was not a militant.

The process continued for about an hour. However no one was arrested.

The shopkeepers alleged that search operation twice in a single day had badly affected their business.

Searches were conducted hours after a grenade attack on a CRPF Road Opening Party (ROP) at high security Karan Nagar area in which a civilian was injured.

Official sources said there were some intelligence reports that militants may try to cause disturbances in the city today.

Security forces were also seen searching vehicles entering the city from outskirts and other rural areas.

Pedestrians were also frisked and their bags properly checked in the other areas in the city, including civil lines today.

Similar operation was conducted at historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the Srinagar, yesterday.

UNI