Forces on maximum alert, 120 suspected arrested in Kashmir

Official sources here said on Monday that a large number of security forces have already been deployed near all vital installations including security force camps and the district headquarter building. Bakshi stadium is the main venue for the Republic Day function here.

“All necessary measures had been taken across the valley to frustrate possible militant designs. Forces have been put on maximum alert following intelligence reports and open threat held by militant organisations like Lashker-e-Toiba to attack security force installations and Bakshi stadium (on January 26),” a police spokesman said.

The police have information that some fidayeen groups (suicide squads) have lately sneaked into Kashmir valley from Pakistan occupied Kashmir with a definite task to carry out attacks on force camp and important installations.

A shopkeeper in the Hari Singh high street area said that most of the shops in the market were closed as the shopkeeprs fear trouble. “As of now, normal business activities will resume only after the tension is over. That is after January 26,” he said.

All roads around Bakshi stadium were closed to vehicular traffic on January 22. Security forces wearing bullet-proof jackets are heavily deployed in and around the stadium. Security forces with automatic weapons could be also seen on both sides of the Srinagar-airport road.

Militants have been firing rockets and grenades towards the stadium on Republic and Independence Day almost every year since the past ten years. However, tighter security arrangements of late has prevented such incidents during the past two years.

“This time, we are ready to meet any eventuality,” the spokesman said. The spokesman said security arrangements in all district headquarters, where the Republic Day function would be held on Tuesday, have already been made to frustrate militant designs.

All vehicles coming from outiside Srinagar were being searched at various places and passengers frisked to foil attempts to smuggle in arms and ammunition.

More than 120 kg of explosives including RDX were also seized by security forces and the Special Operation Group in the Kashmir valley during the past ten days. Some of the arrested militants later confessed that the explosives were meant to disrupt the republic day functions in the valley.

Official sources said more than 120 suspected persons, mostly former militants were rounded up by security forces and Kashmir police as a precautionary measure during the past one week. All these arrested persons would be released only after the Republic Day functions are over.

Earlier today, the entire telecommunication complex, including main exchange and general managers office near here, was sealed by security forces last evening following a militant threat to blow up the building. All roads around the complex were sealed and lights of the complex were put off. The cordon was subsequently lifted after a two-hour search by bomb-disposal squads.