Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jan 24: Ahead of Republic Day, security has been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir with forces carrying out extensive area domination exercises, and sanitization operations.
A senior security official said that the security has been beefed up in all the 20 districts of J&K, particularly in the border areas. “Sensitive areas in Kashmir have seen enhanced security, including road blockades, vehicle checks, security cordons, and search operations,” he said.
He said there is an extensive deployment of police and paramilitary forces along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC). “Senior officers have reviewed security arrangements in sensitive border areas to ensure effective coordination between various agencies,” the official added.
“To further bolster security, advanced surveillance technologies, including drones and high-resolution CCTV cameras, have been deployed to monitor event venues and surrounding areas,” he said, adding that checkpoints have been set up in Srinagar and other district headquarters, particularly at key entry points.
“Random vehicle checks and frisking operations are being conducted to prevent the movement of subversive elements,” he added.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, will preside over the main Republic Day function at M A Stadium in Jammu. He will take the salute, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the chief guest. Other ministers will oversee Republic Day functions in various districts.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary will preside over the Republic Day function in Srinagar and take the salute there.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that multi-tiered security arrangements have been put in place across the Valley for Republic Day celebrations.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Republic Day rehearsal function at Bakshi Stadium here, Birdi said the security setup involved the J&K Police, its security wing, and central paramilitary forces to ensure smooth conduct of the event across the Valley.
He said elaborate arrangements have been made not only for the main Republic Day function in Srinagar but also for similar celebrations scheduled to be held in all districts of the Valley.
The IGP said that separate Republic Day functions will be organised in respective districts, where chief guests will take the salute, adding that similar strict security measures have been implemented for those events as well.
IGP Birdi extended an open invitation to the public to participate in the celebrations along with their families. “I want to convey to the common people that they are very warmly welcomed to join these celebrations with their families,” he said, adding that special encouragement was being extended to school-going children to attend the events.
Responding to a query about whether any specific invitations were required, the IGP said the celebrations were open to all. “It is an open kind of invitation. Everyone is free to come,” he said.
Furthermore, security forces along the Line of Control and the International Border have been placed on high alert to prevent infiltration and ceasefire violations
The officials said heightened surveillance has been enforced in key frontier areas, including Gurez, Uri, Karnah, Tangdhar and sectors in the Jammu region, while the Border Security Force has intensified round-the-clock patrolling and digital monitoring along the International Border.
They said troops are maintaining strict dominance over sensitive stretches and are fully prepared to respond to any infiltration attempts, adding that border management has been strengthened through smart fencing, drones, quadcopters, robotic surveillance systems and rapid-deployment vehicles to ensure 24×7 vigilance.
