Government forces have intensified ‘Frisking Operations’ across Kashmir including Srinagar-Jammu highway to thwart any possible militant attacks on August 15.
A witness said police and CRPF men have erected makeshift naka points at various places in Srinagar and started intense frisking in run up to August 15. “I was travelling from Dalgate to Jehangir Chowk on my motorbike and was stopped first at Dalgate and then on Maulana Azad Road near Pratap Park,” said Aijaz Rasool, of Batamaloo, Srinagar.
He said police checked his identity card and also papers of his bike. “I was also asked where from I was coming and where I was going. Before me, many bikers were frisked by policemen in the middle of the road,” he said.
In Lal Chowk area, at least 10 makeshift check-points have been set up.
A police source said that tight security measures would remain in place in and around the main venue, Bakshi Stadium, where Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti would unfurl the tri-colour on August 15.
He said ahead of the official function, the entire Stadium has been sanitised by a joint team of police and CRPF.
He said 3 pm onwards (on Monday), Bakshi Stadium would remain out of bounds till the official function is over. “All routes leading to the venue will be officially sealed and no vehicle will be allowed to pass through the routes leading to the venue from August 14 afternoon,” a source said.
He said at “important points” in Srinagar, at least 40 Close Circuit Television sets (CCTVs) have been made functional to ensure “no suspect gets away.”
An official said police, army and CRPF have been deployed after almost every two kms on Srinagar- Jammu highway stretch from Sonwar to Bijbehera. “Similar security arrangements are in place on Srinagar-Baramulla highway stretch,” the official said.
Kashmir range inspector general of police Muneer Ahmed Khan said that elaborate security arrangements would remain in place for August 15 to foil any possible attempt by militants to disrupt the official functions. “At present, naka points have been set up in Srinagar city and elsewhere to ensure no suspect gets away. We are checking the documents of two wheelers as there are reports that militants may use these to play some mischief,” Khan said.
He said two wheelers pose a “big threat to security.”
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmed Khan inspected the full dress rehearsal of the parade and unfurled the tri-colour at Bakshi Stadium. Similar rehearsals were held at all the district headquarters.
Director General of Police S P Vaid, IGP Kashmir Muneer Khan, top officials of CRPF and other security agencies were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Government has issued a circular directing the employees to attend official Aug 15 functions. “All officials and officers of the state government stationed at Srinagar/Jammu are enjoined upon to attend the main function of Independence Day celebration at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar/Parade Ground Jammu, as part of official duty,” reads a circular issued by General Administration department. “All the administrative secretaries, heads of the departments, managing directors, chief executives of public sector undertakings are requested to ensure that all officers/officials working under the administrative control and stationed at Srinagar/Jammu attend the function at their respective places,” reads the circular.
The managing directors, SRTC and tourism Development Corporation have been asked to ensure that the buses/canter vehicles of their corporations are deployed for transportation of the employees of the moving departments and facilitate to and fro movement of the employees for attending the August 15 function at Bakshi Stadium here, the circular states.
