Frisking, searches by security forces back in Srinagar ahead of Republic Day

Srinagar, Jan 16 : Security forces have intensified searches and frisking in the summer capital, Srinagar to foil any attempt by militants to smuggle in arms and ammunition into the city ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

Security forces have established naka checkings at several places in the city, checking passing vehicles, particularly two wheelers.

'We have directions to conduct random searches of vehicles and check the identity cards of those boarding the vehicles, a security force jawan said at Budshah Bridge.

All three wheelers besides motorbicycles and scooters were being properly searched before allowing to go,' they said.
A fresh alert has been issued to security forces and state police personnel on the ground to remain on alert to foil any militant attempt to smuggle in arms and ammunition from outskirts to cause disturbance in the city, where main Republic Day function will be held at S K International Cricket stadium or Amar Singh College instead of Bakshi stadium, where renovation was in progress.

In view of recent fidayeen attack on CRPF camp in south Kashmir, where local militants were involved and recent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion at Sopore in north Kashmir that left four police personnel dead, a fresh alert has been issued to field commanders.

However, security forces were able to detect and defuse two powerful IEDs planted by militants on the city outskirts on Srinagar-Baramulla and Srinagar-Bandipora road recently.

Security forces also conducted Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) in the old city, evoking massive protests by opposition National Conference (NC). The CASO was conducted in any part of the city after a gap of 17 years.

Sources said there was almost no militant in the city. However, some of them are trying to infiltrate into city from outskirts to cause disturbance for wide coverage. We have also directed security forces to conduct searches of all vehicles entering the city from outskirts, they said.
In early 90s militants were attacking Republic Day and Independence Day functions by firing rockets and grenades towards the venue.

However, for the past about two decade no such attack took places mainly due to unprecedented security arrangements.