Security up in Valley amid grenade attack threat

› Checking has been intensified. We have also pressed drones into services. Choppers are also hovering over the city

PANKAJ SINGH, CRPF spokesman

SRINAGAR: Security has been beefed up in Kashmir ahead of Republic Day functions amid the threat of grenade attack to mar the celebrations, said Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesman Pankaj Singh. This will be the first Republic Day in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of special status on August 5. “We are on red alert. There are chances of grenade or petrol bomb attacks by militants. We won’t allow that to happen,” said Pankaj Singh.

Special check points manned by police and CRPF have been laid across Srinagar. The security forces have also started night patrolling while checking and frisking people has become frequent affair. Officials said that they are using special surveillance gadgets at public places to keep an eye on the activities of people.

Kashmir Inspector General of police, Vijay Kumar on Friday said that the security forces will foil the designs of militants. “Whatever plan the militants have, we have counter plan in place for that,” Kumar had said.

On the Republic Day on Sunday, advisor to LG, Farooq Khan, will take salute at Sheri Kashmir Stadium. The venue has been sealed by heavy deployment of security forces and roadblocks have been laid on the roads leading to the venue. “Checking has been intensified. We have also pressed drones into services. Choppers are also hovering over the city,” Singh said.

As many as ten explosions have rocked Kashmir since J&K’s special status was revoked on August 5. The security deployment has also been enhanced in the Old City where the grenade attack at Safa Kadal on Friday injured a civilian, a policemen and a CRPF personal. “The security personnel are present in every nook and corner. Overall, we will maintain extra alertness till January 30,” Singh said.