Srinagar, Aug 12: In the wake of recent spurt in militant attacks, authorities have sounded a red alert in the Valley to ensure that I-Day functions pass off peacefully.
 Police, paramilitary forces, and Army have intensified patrolling. Random checking of vehicles and frisking of pedestrians have also been intensified.
 Both modern gadgetry and manpower have also been employed in and around the Bakshi Stadium, the venue of main I-Day function. “Every security arrangement has been made for I-Day function,” a police spokesman said here. “The forces have been directed by the seniors to ensure that people don’t face any inconvenience,” he said.
 A senior police officer told Greater Kashmir that three-tier security arrangement has been put at place in and around the Bakshi Stadium. “Sniffer dogs, Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs), high-tech access control equipment and human surveillance are in place to secure the area,” he said and added that modern technology combined with human intelligence have been used to manage security on ground.
 The officer added that police teams in plainclothes have been spread in the Srinagar and other sensitive towns of the Valley. “Sharp shooters have been deployed at all high-rise buildings around Bakshi Stadium to meet any eventuality,” the officer said.
 Iqbal Park, located adjacent to Bakshi Stadium has been sealed for visitors and would be thrown open on August 16. Officials of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) are sanitizing the area.
 The security in commercial hub Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas has also been tightened. Besides Lal Chowk, heavy contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Jehangir Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, Hari Singh High Street, SK Park, Dalgate and other areas.
 The senior official said that the activities across the Srinagar are being closely monitored through the CCTV cameras.
 The senior police officer said that there is no special input about the presence of “inimical elements”, but even then foolproof security arrangements in connection with the I-Day functions have to be put in place.
 The security has also been beefed up in north and south Kashmir and police and security agencies are carrying out surprise checks.
 In Baramulla, Sopore, Kupwara, Handwara and Bandipora towns of north Kashmir Police and other security agencies are carrying out random searches of the passenger and private vehicles. Surprise checks were also carried out at Khawajabagh, Narbal, Pattan and Sangrama areas of the Baramulla district by army.
 Security has been beefed up in south Kashmir’s Pulwama, Shopian and Islamabad (Anantnag) districts, where and police and paramilitary forces have started manning the streets and the Srinagar-Jammu highway to keep a close vigil on the movement of people.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST