SRINAGAR : A fresh alert has been issued to all field commanders to keep a close vigil in the Kashmir valley to foil any militant attempt to cause any disturbance during the visit of US President Barack Obama to India as the chief guest on Republic Day.
Security in and around villages inhabited by minority Kashmiri pandits and Sikh communities in the Kashmir valley, particularly in Shopian, Pulwama in south Kashmir and Badgam in central Kashmir has further been intensified, keeping in view the attack in 2000 when US President Bill Clinton had arrived in India on his maiden visit. to India. Additional Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), wearing bullet proof jackets and holding automatic weapons, have been deployed in and around the Bakshi stadium, venue for main Repulic Day function in the Valley. Though the security forces are already on high alert in the Kashmir valley, the field commanders of different security agencies have been directed to keep a close vigil in their respective areas of operation, official sources told UNI.
They said though there was no specific information about any militant plan to carry out any attack on or before the Republic Day functions, when the US president will be chief guest the at Delhi parade, a fresh alert has been issued. The killing of eight militants, including top commanders of different militant outfkits and arrest of two others during the past about two weeks was seen as a major success before the Republic Day.
They said recovery of two powerful five kg each Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and busting of two hideouts in the valley was also a major setback to militants who wanted to create panic.
On March 20, 2000 unidentified gunmen shot dead 36 members of Sikh minority community at Chatisinghpora in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, a day before then US President Mr Clinton arrived in India on his first maiden visit.
The sikh organisations, including All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) have demanded a fresh probe into killings of sikhs after CBI confirmed that five people killed by the Army and state police after Chatisinghpora massacre were civilians.
The Army and police claimed that all the five foreign militants involved in the killing of Sikhs were local civilians who were picked up from different parts of the district and later killed in fake encounters. In view of this massacre, security in and around villages where the Kashmiri pundits and Sikhs are living, has been further tightened.
In the past, militants had disarmed police guards posted in number of these villages in Shopian and Pulwama without harming the members of minority community. Sources said this time authorities have decided to make all arrangements to foil any militant attempt to attack these villages.
They said Army and other security agencies have been asked to intensify foot and night patrolling in their respective areas.
Additional security forces have been deployed in and around the Bakshi stadium, where the main function will be held on January 26. However, similar Republic Day functions will also be held in district and tehsil headquarters. Though the main road around the stadium is still open for public transport, the main gates have been closed with a barbed wire.
Sharp shooters could be seen deployed in the area, who are keeping a close watch on pedestrians and vehicles. Security forces and state police have also set up nakas in the city, including civil lines, where random checking and frisking was being conducted.
Vehicles, particularly carrying passengers and two wheelers, were being searched properly and identity cards checked at Budshah chowk near here.
Similar checkings were also being held at other places in the city and its outskirts to foil any militant attempt to smuggle in arms and ammunition from outskirts.
(AGENCIES)
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