Security put at maximum alert in Valley on R-Day
Srinagar: Security across Kashmir Valley has been heightened ahead of the 69th Republic day as security agencies have received inputs about the presence of five Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in Srinagar area who are intending to carry out an attack on security or government establishment on or before the R-day.
A senior police official said that they have inputs that five Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants have sneaked into Harwan area of Srinagar and are waiting for a chance to strike.
According to the document vide number I.VI-3/2018-Int dated 24-01-2018, a copy of which lies with ‘Kashmir Vision’, reads that the Polcent Kashmir Ops Sector has received input from its sister agency vide letter number 276 dated 24/01/2018 regarding the presence of five LeT militants in Srinagar area.
The documents reads that input received from credible channel has suggested that a group of five LeT cadres is currently located in a Srinagar area, adding that “the group intends to carry out attack on security or government establishment on or before the forthcoming Republic day.”
The document further reads that “the input has identified some security or government establishment, as the possible target.”
“Separately, it is learnt that Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) is also planning to carry out a fidayeen attack on the security establishment in Jammu region. Specific details in this regard however, are unavailable at this stage,” the document added.
The officials via document have asked the officials to “sensitize troops in your AOR to remain alert.”
Following the inputs, security across the Valley was heightened while forces started frisking in Srinagar city and in others parts of the region today.
Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed all over the city including the venue of R-day celebrations, SK Stadium, Sonwar, Lal Chowk and other parts of Srinagar.
The security forces as per the witnesses were seen carrying out surprise check of the vehicles. The forces were also seen frisking motorcyclists and passengers of vehicles in Srinagar city.
Witnesses said that vehicular movement was also thin as compared to the other normal days.
Similarly, the security arrangements had also been put in place in other Valley districts too.
Reports said that adequate security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas of Kashmir including Southern and northern district to ensure peaceful conduct of R-day celebrations.
Pertinently, a high alert was sounded in Kashmir following an intelligence input that a non-Kashmiri woman suicide bomber might disrupt the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations in the Valley.
According to a message circulated from the office of Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) to all district police heads and chief of security wing in Kashmir, “there is a strong input” that an 18-year-old woman non-Kashmiri woman might “cause a suicide bomb explosion” near or inside the Republic Day parade in Kashmir.
“All are directed to please ensure that frisking of ladies at the (venues) is done meticulously and with utmost caution so as to thwart the designs of anti-national elements,” reads the message.
Meanwhile, official sources said she is the same woman who was questioned by the Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad in 2015, when it came to notice that she had been radicalised after coming in contact with ISIS supporters abroad.
She was planning to travel to Syria, the ATS had then claimed.
The woman, a class XI student at a Pune college, was subsequently sent for a de-radicalisation programme by the ATS.
Earlier, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Munir Ahmad Khan had said that security forces deployed are trying their best to ensure peaceful conduct of R-day celebrations. “Every important day carries a threat but the security arrangements are not been made only on R-Day or Independence day only but on the other important days including Eid and Diwali as well. Security forces deployed are trying their best to ensure smooth conduct of R-day celebrations,” he had said.
KV Correspondent
