Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 19: After series of grenade attacks across Kashmir especially in Srinagar city Centre, security forces today cordoned off Lal Chowk area of Srinagar, conducted searches and intensified security across Valley ahead of Republic Day.
Security forces today cordoned off City Centre Lal Chowk and disallowed vehicular movement towards Amirakadal and diverted it towards Budshah Chowk.
They conducted search operation of hotels and other buildings located in Lal Chowk. The frisking has been intensified in wake of two grenade attacks by militants in Lal Chowk and one in Rajbagh area of Srinagar’s Civil Lines area.
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Security forces have inputs that two militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) are operating in Srinagar who are responsible for the grenade attacks. They have also inputs that militants may try to carry out more attacks ahead of Republic day in Srinagar.
Security forces erected barricades at several places in the city and its peripheries to prevent any movement of militants in and around Srinagar.
Police and security forces have tightened vigil across the Valley while tight security arrangements have been made in and around cricket stadium in Sonwar area where the main function of Republic day will be held.
Security forces have intensified patrolling and vehicle checking and pedestrians are being frisked. People are also being asked for their identity cards. A police official said that the operation in City Centre Lal Chowk was a routine mock drill.
In the meantime, militants today attacked police station Yaripora in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Militants lobbed a grenade on police station Yaripora. However, there was no report of any damage.
Police have asked the owners of the coaching centres to shut down them ahead of Republic Day for security reasons. “A message was conveyed to us through concerned police officers directing us to shut down ahead of January 26,” said an owner of a coaching centre.
In the meantime, security forces conducted surprise cordon and search operations at several places across the Valley as part of area domination to prevent militants from carrying out any strike.
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