Search operation affects normal life in Lal Chowk

Srinagar, Jul 21: Business and other day-to-day activities in the historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital here, came to a halt after security forces conducted random search operation this afternoon.

People, including shopkeepers, customers and pedestrians were surprised when the security forces sealed the entire area from Lal Chowk to Amira Kadal bridge. While those present in the cordoned off area were not allowed to leave, traffic on the busy route was also stopped and diverted to other routes.

''Our officers are coming and you will be allowed to leave the cordoned off area once the frisking and checking of identity cards is completed, '' a security force personnel told one of those in the resricted area.

People in long queues were frisked and their identity cards checked properly before being allowed to leave the area.

Official sources said the operation was conducted in view of the yesterday's grenade attack at Gulmarg that left two persons, including a tourist from Uttar Pradesh (UP) dead and five others wounded and IED blast at Narbal on Srinagar-Baramulla road in which ten soldiers were killed and 20 others wounded on Saturday.

UNI