Unprecedented security measures on Sonia's visit to Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 29 (UNI) The security forces in the city were put on high alert to foil any militant attempt to cause disturbances during the one-day visit of UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi today.

A large number of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, wearing bullet proof jacket and holding automatic weapons, were deployed on both sides of Boulvard road on the bank of the famed Dal Lake.

The Siraj Bagh, Asia's largest tulip garden at the foot of the Zabarwan Hill, overlooking the famous Dal Lake, was sealed from all sides to thwart any militant attack during its inauguration by Ms Gandhi.

The security forces could be seen deployed on the hill side.

The authorities this time had issued special passes to the security personnel deployed in the city to foil any Fidayeen attack by militants disguised in the uniforms of security personnel.

In the past, militants had used the uniforms of police and other security personnel to disguise themselves and carry out Fidayeen attack on vital installations, including camps in the valley.

The security forces were also seen patrolling in the Dal Lake, keeping a close watch from there.

In the morning, all vehicles plying on Boulvard road, leading to Siraj Bagh, were being properly checked and passengers, including students frisked for security reasons.

The security forces were checking all vehicles at Dalgate, Nehru Park and Oberio crossing.

''We had orders to check all the vehicles plying on the Boulvard road,'' a CRPF official told a correspondent at Nehru Park.

Similar surveillances were also conducted in other parts of the city.

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