Kashmir to witness heightened security ahead of January 26

In run up to the January 26, security agencies in Kashmir have sounded an alert to prevent any attack while major frisking operations are all set to begin from January 15. The alert has been sounded in advance across Kashmir in the wake of recent attack on Air Force Base at Panthankote in Punjab.

Police sources said that the though there is no specific threat as such, but they won’t leave anything to chance and would ensure fool-proof security cover for the all the official functions across Kashmir, especially in Srinagar where the main function would be held at the Bakshi Stadium. A mock drill would be conducted in the Stadium in January while the full dress rehearsal parade would also take place at the venue ahead of the January 26 official function.  The stadium, sources said, would be sanitized with the help of sniffer dogs and land-mine detector machines.

According to a senior police official, elaborate security arrangement would be put in place to ensure smooth passage of January 26 functions in Kashmir. “Routine frisking operation would start from January 15 onwards. We have directed our men to behave humanely with the people while conducting frisking operations,” he said.

Sources said that in view of the attack on Air Force Base at Pathankote, police and other security agencies are maintaining close coordination to thwart any possible militant strikes in Kashmir.

Police sources said that all the Close Circuit Television sets (CCTVs) would be made functional in the days ahead to ensure a close check on the suspects in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir. “At least 32 CCTVs stand installed at various important locations in Srinagar alone,” the sources said.

CRPF spokesman in Kashmir, Ashish Kumar Jha said that every year they provide full support to the police at the points where nakas are laid. “This year too, we will follow the same procedure and ensure full support to police to prevent any possible militant attack,” Jha said.