PM,Sonia visit jawans in Srinagar attack with tight security

Srinagar, June 25: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today visited the Army base hospital at Badamibagh cantonment here to inquire about the condition of jawans injured in the Hyderpora attack.

General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 corps Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh briefed them about the condition of the injured personnel, officials said. The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans.

Eight army personnel were killed and 16 others were injured in a deadly attack by militants at Srinagar's Hyderpora bypass on Monday. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad accompanied Singh and Gandhi during their visit to the base hospital, officials said.

Meanwhile, many tourists had to remain in their hotel rooms as security forces erected barricades and concertina wires at various places across the city including world famous Dal Lake, due to strict security measures put in place for the VVIP visit. The 3 km stretch between Nehru Park and SKICC along the banks of Dal Lake was off limits for all including tourists.

There were reports of tourists being beaten up by security personnel at Khayam Chowk as visitors were unaware of the situation following yesterday's militant attack in which eight soldiers were killed.

The SKICC, venue for PM's functions in Srinagar, has been turned into a fortress with state police, CRPF and BSF patrolling the waters of Dal Lake.

The shikarawallahs have been directed not to come within 1 km radius of the SKICC. Army is keeping vigil along the ridges of the Zabarwan Hills overlooking Dal Lake.

PTI