Nth Army Commander reviews preparedness; intense checks on NHs, railways, entry points
Jammu: Following the deadly car bomb blast near Red Fort in New Delhi that killed more than ten people on Monday, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have been placed on maximum alert, with multi-layered security measures enforced across the Union Territory.
Officials said that the administration has directed all districts — particularly border regions and major towns — to maintain the highest level of vigilance.
Intensive checking of vehicles, frisking of pedestrians, and surveillance operations have been launched across highways, railway stations, religious sites, and crowded marketplaces.
High-tech surveillance equipment and area domination exercises have been deployed in several parts of Kashmir, especially in Srinagar, Pulwama, and Kulgam, as part of precautionary measures.
“Security forces have intensified checking drives and random frisking in sensitive areas, including main entry points to the Valley,” a senior security official said.
“Cordon and search operations have been carried out in residential pockets of Srinagar, while surveillance has been enhanced at railway stations and public gathering areas.”
At the Navyug Tunnel, the primary gateway to Kashmir, police and CRPF personnel carried out round-the-clock vehicle checking using advanced detection systems.
SSP Kulgam Anayat Ali Choudhary said that security forces have been conducting a large-scale crackdown against terrorism for the past few days.
“We are conducting checks at more than 75 locations, including highways and interior routes. From LMVs to HMVs, every vehicle is being screened using advanced technology. The goal is to prevent any attempt to disturb peace,” he said.
He added that such measures are essential to ensure public safety and prevent anti-national elements from exploiting the post-blast situation.
Meanwhile, the Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, visited forward areas in north Kashmir to review the anti-infiltration grid and assess the operational readiness of formations along the Line of Control (LoC).
In a post on X, the Northern Command stated that the Commander was briefed on next-generation surveillance systems and border fortification technologies.
“He lauded the troops for exceptional professionalism and combat readiness to confront emerging threats, reaffirming the Army’s unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s frontiers,” the statement said.
Security forces across Kashmir have also intensified cordon-and-search operations (CASO) in urban areas like Habbakadal (Srinagar) and rural belts in Pulwama, where Special Operations Group (SOG) teams have conducted door-to-door checks since early morning.
In Awantipora, police have stepped up vehicle checking drives to monitor the movement of suspicious persons and prevent the transportation of unlawful materials.
“These measures are part of continuous efforts to strengthen security and ensure public safety,” a police spokesperson said.
In Jammu, security has been tightened at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra town, and along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, where special teams have been deployed for random screening.
Officials confirmed that around 1,500 individuals have been detained over the past few days in what they described as a pre-emptive strike against terror networks and overground workers. The operation has focused on SIM card vendors, suspected sympathisers, and digital device scans to trace any terror linkages.
The crackdown has intensified after investigators revealed a Kashmir connection in the Delhi blast, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and J&K Police conducting joint raids in Pulwama, Anantnag, and Srinagar.
Multiple persons, including Dr. Sajad Ahmad Malla and relatives of Dr. Umar Mohammad, who was allegedly driving the car used in the Red Fort explosion, are being questioned.
Authorities said the current measures are preventive and aimed at maintaining calm amid heightened national security concerns. “Our priority is the safety and security of the people. Anyone attempting to disrupt peace will face serious consequences,” a senior officer asserted.
