JK: Tip off on fidayeen; forces on their toes

Srinagar, May 8: Security forces were on their toes today in the civil lines, conducting random searches, following a tip off that a fidayeen (member of suicide squad) was in the area.

We cannot take any risk as the civil secretariat, the seat of the government, including the office of Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues reopened here yesterday, a police official diverting traffic through Moulana Azad road at Regal Chowk said.

A bullet proof vehicle was parked in the middle of the road at Regal Chowk and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police personnel holding automatic weapons were guarding the streets.

The entire road from the Regal Chowk, including busy Partap Park, to Abiguzar was closed for all activities.

Later, the shopkeepers, their customers and pedestrians had to prove their identity to security forces that they were not militants. After directing them to stand in queues, their identity cards were checked and later allowed to leave the cordoned off area after through frisking.

This was the fourth such search operation by the security forces in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.

Earlier, CRPF and police sealed the area from Ganta-Ghar to Court road and conducted similar search operations.

Later, it was the turn of Court road to Amira Kadal bridge and then Gantaghar to Abi-Guzar.

The frequent search operations had badly hit the business, shopkeepers alleged.

Traffic was also diverted through other longer routes because of search operations.

The shopkeepers said that customers hesitate to enter the civil line area where random search operations are being conducted has become a routine.

Security forces, ready to react against any militant attack, were seen guarding the by lanes connecting the interior areas with the main road.

However, official sources said the random operation are being conducted to foil any militant attempt to hurl hand grenades in busy areas.

UNI