Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar : In view of two back to back attacks by militants in Srinagar ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s two day visit to Kashmir, security forces have been put on high alert in Kashmir with all major roads in Srinagar blocked by the security forces with concertina razor wire to restrict the movement of traffic.
Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel are patrolling the streets of Srinagar while in some places army is also conducting foot patrols to prevent the militants from carrying out any further attacks during the PM’s visit.
Security forces have erected barriers in Srinagar city major roads and private and public transport is not allow to ply.
A high-level meeting of security officials was held late last night to review the situation in view of the militant attack at Hyderpora in the city.
Eight soldiers were killed while 16 others were injured in the attack, which was the deadliest militant strike for last several years in which army suffered heavy casaulities.
Helicopters were hovering over the skyline of Srinagar city till late last night as the air surveillance was intensified.
In old Srinagar city there is curfew-like situation as security forces have blocked the roads and no movement of vehicle is allowed and pedestrian movement is also being regulated.
Separatists groups including both factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF have called for a general strike on the arrival of the Prime Minister.
Chairmen of both faction of Hurriyat – Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq – have been placed under house arrest as a preventive measure.
ENDS