Security on high alert in Srinagar on Soz's arrival

Srinagar, Mar 12 (UNI) Security forces in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir were put on high alert as authorities fear that militants may try to strike during the maiden public meeting of Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz as Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president here this afternoon.

Police have recently foiled a militant plan to carry out fidayeen attack when they busted a hideout and recovered uniforms and arms and ammunitions which were supposed to be used during the attack.

All roads leading to Sher-e-Kashmir park, venue of Mr Soz's public meeting were closed for traffic since morning.

Security forces had parked bullet proof bunkers in the middle of the road near Radio Kashmir crossing and Polo view.

Even vehicles of security forces were being properly checked before allowing them to enter the area, which has been cordoned off since last night.

A UNI correspondent who visited the area today saw those attending the public meeting were properly frisked and their identity cards checked before allowing them to enter the park.

Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, wearing bullet proof jackets and holding automatic weapons, were keeping a close watch on the river Jehlum from bund side to foil any militant attack.

CRPF and police personnel had been issued special coloured passes which they had displayed on their uniform for identification as militants in the past were wearing police uniform for carrying out fidayeen attacks.

A lone militant in police uniform carried out fidayeen attack, half an hour before Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was to address a public meeting at the same venue in 2006. A number of persons were killed and Inspector General of police K Rajinder Kumar was injured before the fidayeen was killed.

Last week police recovered uniforms and arms and ammunition from Theed area in Harwan which the militants were planning to use during a fidayeen attack in the city.

Security force personnel were seen deployed on both sides of the Srinagar-Airport road.

UNI BAS RC HT1508