Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 23: With Christmas and New Year celebrations approaching, Srinagar city has been placed under a heightened security blanket. Jammu & Kashmir Police, along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have intensified checking drives, surveillance and patrols across vital installations and public spaces.
The stepped-up security measures aim to ensure public safety during the festive season, with authorities closely monitoring movement and maintaining a visible presence in crowded areas.
From the bustling corridors of Lal Chowk to the beautiful stretches around Dal Lake, Nehru Park and the other side of the city’s Tengpora Bypass, security personnel have been deployed in greater numbers, setting up surprise checkpoints and conducting random frisking of vehicles and pedestrians.
Officials said that the step comes as part of preventive security measures to ensure peace and public safety during the festive period.
They said, joint teams of Police and CRPF have been conducting area domination exercises and surprise checks to maintain high alertness across the city. “Vehicles, identity documents and passenger belongings are being thoroughly inspected to rule out any security threats.”
The intensified operations covered several sensitive pockets, including Maharaj Bazar, Hari Singh High Street, Magarmal Bagh, Jehangir Chowk, Tankipora, Lal Chowk, Nehru Park, Dalgate interiors, etc., where business establishments and high-footfall zones remained under watch throughout the day.
In a parallel exercise, Srinagar Police conducted an Area Security Trial (AST), in collaboration with CRPF, along the Tengpora stretch of the National Highway. The mock drill simulated coordinated responses to potential emergencies and tested ground readiness. During the exercise, shops, commercial premises and moving vehicles were inspected as part of a comprehensive grid review.
Commuters too reported increased presence of uniformed personnel across market routes, with security vehicles stationed at intersections and strategic corners.
Security officials said the city will remain under tight vigil in the coming days, with more surprise checks expected in view of the twin celebrations. “Visibility of forces and public confidence are both crucial at this stage.”
A police spokesperson said that Srinagar Police, in close coordination with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), conducted Area Security/Anti-Sabotage (AST) operations around major vital installations and sensitive locations in the North Zone of Srinagar, to strengthen preventive security measures and counter any potential threats.
The purpose of the joint security exercise is to reinforce the overall security grid, enhance operational preparedness, and ensure the safety and security of critical infrastructure as well as the general public, the spokesperson said in a statement, adding, “During the operation, thorough checking and sanitisation of the identified areas were carried out, along with a comprehensive review of existing security arrangements. Such joint security exercises will continue to be conducted periodically as part of proactive measures to deter potential threats and reinforce public confidence.”
Srinagar Police remains committed to maintaining peace and ensuring a secure environment across the city, the spokesperson said.
