SRINAGAR: The security apparatus across Jammu and Kashmir has been intensified for smooth conduct of Independence Day functions while four security personnel were injured in grenade attack by militants in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday.
A police official said the security across the Valley has been beefed up for Independence Day.
“The police, CRPF and army men have increased patrolling and set up temporary check-points at many places, where the vehicles and commuters are thoroughly checked,” he said.
The security personnel have set up check-points at all the link roads connecting Srinagar with other districts of the Valley.
“Every vehicle entering Srinagar from the south, central and North Kashmir is being thoroughly screened by security personnel,” the police official said.
He said the security around the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, where the main function of Independence Day would be held and where Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti would unfurl the tricolour, has been further intensified.
The three-tier security bandobast has been put in place around the Bakshi stadium, he said.
A Large contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed around the Bakshi Stadium to keep watch on the movement of people.
They have placed barricades on the roads to restrict movement of the people and vehicles.
A police official said sharp shooters would be deployed in high rise buildings around the stadium to maintain tight vigil till the I-Day function concludes tomorrow.
All the residential and commercial buildings around the stadium have been sanitised by joint search parties of police and paramilitary personnel, he said.
According to an official, teams of intelligence sleuths in plainclothes have been spread in the city and other sensitive towns of the Kashmir to keep a close watch on the movement of people.
“Besides, drones and other electronic gadgets would be pressed into service to help security on the ground. The security men would also be keeping watch on the movement of people through CCTVs,” he said.
The police official said tight security measures have also been put in place around the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, where the main I-Day function of Jammu province would be held.
The security personnel were also conducting surprise checking of vehicles and commuters in Jammu city, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked whether there was any specific input of militants carrying out attack on Independence Day, the police official said there were no specific inputs but there is a general input that militants may attempt to create disturbances during the I-Day functions by carrying out attacks.
There has been a surge in militant violence in Kashmir this year and over 130 militants including some top commanders and more than 40 security personnel have been killed this year.
4 security men injured in militant attack
Militants lobbed a grenade towards a patrol party of police and CRPF personnel at Batapora, Magam area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district this afternoon.
IG CRPF Ravideep Singh Sahi told New Indian Express that three CRPF men and a policeman were injured in the grenade attack.
He said the injured security men were hospitalized.
“Of the three injured CRPF men, condition of one is stated to be critical by doctors,” Sahi said.
After the militant attack, police and CRPF men launched a search operation in the area to nab the attackers. However, no arrests were reported.
Meanwhile, Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed responsibility for the attack.