Ahead of Republic Day security tightened across Kashmir Valley, search operation in Poonch

Security has been tightened in Kashmir ahead of Republic Day celebrations with police and other security personnel carrying out sanitisation and area domination exercises here, officials said on Monday Police and CRPF personnel conducted random checking of vehicles at various places in the city to thwart the movement of subversive elements, they said.

The officials said the security has been tightened in view of the blasts in Jammu as well as a blast here and other upcoming events. We have Republic Day dress rehearsal tomorrow and the main function on Thursday. We will ensure that everything is smooth,” a police official overseeing the frisking operation said.

A civilian sustained injuries in a grenade attack carried out by militants in the Eidgah area of the city Sunday evening. Back-to-back blasts had rocked the Narwal area in Jammu on Saturday, leaving nine people injured. `While the main Republic Day function will take place in Jammu, the biggest function in the valley will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here.

The security around the venues of Republic Day functions in the valley including the cricket stadium will be further beefed in the coming days, the officials said.

Meanwhile, In view of upcoming Republic Day, security forces on Monday launched a search operation in several forest areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

A senior police officer told Greater Kashmir that the operations are being carried out jointly by the police and army in the woods to ensure no untoward incident takes place during the Republic Day celebrations in the district.

He said security has been heightened in the district so that all functions scheduled on the day pass off peacefully.