Police have sounded a high alert across Jammu and Kashmir to thwart any possibility of militants striking during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on Saturday.
A multi-layer security cover has been put in place and hi-tech surveillance systems energised in Srinagar and Jammu cities to ensure incident-free arrival and departure of the PM.
“All the modern means of security system has been put in place across the state,” director general of police, Shesh Paul Vaid told Greater Kashmir over phone from Leh.
“Not red alert, but yes, an alert has been sounded in all three regions of the state.”
All routes leading to SKICC, where Modi is scheduled to e-inaugurate road projects, have been taken over by government forces. Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF has been made along Gupkar road and Dalgate area.
The sprawling venue on the banks of Dal Lake has been made out of bounds for the common people.
“We seek cooperation from the people for the smooth conduct of the Prime Ministers’ function,” said inspector general of police, Swayam Prakash Pani.
Another police officer said even though a ceasefire against militants was in place government forces were taking no chances. Top forces’ officials were “personally monitoring the security arrangements.”
Earlier this week suspected militants managed to snatch four weapons from policemen in Srinagar, including one INSAS rifle from a guard at Kashmir University and three service rifles from policemen guarding a hotel at Dalgate, just three kilometers away from SKICC.
“This is the reason why we took extraordinary measures to keep militants at a bay. Our men will remain alert in motor-boats and shikaras in the Dal Lake to keep an eye on the suspects,” the police officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Inspector General of CRPF (Srinagar sector), Ravideep Sahi said additional deployment of the paramilitary forces has been made.
“Frisking has been intensified across Srinagar and a heightened vigil is being maintained in and around the venue,” Sahi said.