Business and other activities affected in Srinagar due to searches

Srinagar, Jan 29 (UNI) Business and other activities came to halt in the busy Palladium gali near historic Lal Chowk when police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted search operations this afternoon.

The area was sealed by security forces from Badshah Chowk and Lal Chowk sides and nobody was allowed to leave. Bullet proof bunkers were parked on both sides by the security forces.

A UNI correspondent who was present in the area saw security forces directing shopkeepers and their customers to stand in queues.

Later, they were allowed to move out after their identity cards were checked and they were frisked.

The businessmen alleged that frequent search operations in the area had affected their business. However, security force officials said they were conducting search operations to foil any militant attempt to carry out any attack in the crowded areas.

The civil lines had been witnessing grenade blasts and other militant strikes in the past. However, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) based United Jehad Council (UJC), an umbrella organisation had banned IED and grenade blasts at crowded places in the valley.

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