Afzal Guru's hanging anniversary: CRPF on high alert across Valley

Srinagar, Feb 8: CRPF has put all its units across Kashmir Valley on high alert in view of the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference on February 9 and 11 on the anniversaries of execution of Parliament attack case convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat.

"All CRPF establishments and units have been put on high alert in view of strike and protest call given by all factions of Hurriyat and all the separatists on February 9, 10 and 11," a CRPF spokesman said in a statement here.

The separatist groups have called for a strike tomorrow on the third anniversary of hanging of Guru, and on February 11 on the anniversary of execution of Bhat. While Guru was hanged on February 9, 2013 inside Tihar Jail in Delhi, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front founder Bhat was executed on February 11, 1984.

In view of stone-pelting incidents on Fridays and Sundays in Old City areas, CRPF troops deployed in the city, especially the Down Town, have been asked to keep close watch on various developments and maintain an active coordination with police to counter any propaganda or provocation by the separatists, the spokesman said.

CRPF DIG (Operations) Srinagar Sanjeev Dhundia reviewed the security situation and asked officers and jawans to remain vigilant and alert, and to take adequate measures to prevent injuries to force personnel.

"A few weeks back, a grenade was thrown at CRPF troops amid stone pelting in Saraf Kadal area of Down Town, but luckily the grenade didn't explode," the spokesman said.

"All CRPF camps have been alerted and security has been strengthened and troops have been briefed to be ready to deal with any unforeseen law and order problem, without use of lethal weapons," he added.

PTI