Security forces on high alert in Kupwara

Kupwara, Nov 30 (UNI) Security forces have been put on high alert in this frontier district of north Kashmir where polling was held today in five Assembly segments constituencies.

Official sources said about 109 additional companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF), besides hundreds of Jammu and Kashmir police personnel have been deployed in these constituencies to foil any attempt by militants and organisation opposing polls to disrupt the process.

They said the CRPF, BSF and police personnel specially for poll duty were in addition to troops and other forces already deployed for counter-insurgency operations in these constituencies, spread over Kupwara district, once a hub of militants.

However, this time there was no apprehension of shelling from Pakistani troops from across the border because of ceasefire since 2003.

A Majority of polling stations set up in Machil, Teetwal, Karnah and Keran are under the direct target of Pakistani troops.

In 2002 elections, polling stations in these areas were set up in safe zones where there was no threat of shelling from across the border.

However, they said, we have not lowered the guards and security forces remain on alert to foil any infiltration attempt from across the border.

All roads leading to Kupwara from Baramulla and Sopore have almost been closed for outsiders.

Security forces have put up barricades on these roads where all the vehicles were being searched and those traveling in them questioned and their identity cards checked.

Security forces said they have instructions not to allow any person, accept the residents of Kupwara district, to enter the area.

They said preventive measures were being taken following a call to people given by the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the anti-poll agitation in Kashmir, to reach Kupwara.

UNI BAS PD BST0857