Amid tight security, J&K to celebrate Republic Day today

Srinagar, Jan 25: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to celebrate 77th Republic Day Monday amid heightened security arrangements.
Stringent security measures have been put in place in and around Moulana Azad Stadium, the main venue of the function, in Jammu, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will preside over the main function in Jammu and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the Chief Guest on the occasion.
An official said, “Security wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police have taken control of the stadium and sanitisation of the main venue and its surrounding areas has been completed.”
He said that the top police officers are monitoring the security arrangements personally to ensure incident-free Republic Day celebrations. “Security force personnel have intensified frisking and checking of vehicles across the Jammu region, particularly in border areas. Vigil has been heightened along the International Border (IB), Line of Control (LoC), and sensitive hinterland areas of various hilly and border districts in Jammu region,” the official said, adding, “Army and BSF are keeping a close watch on IB and LoC to foil any infiltration attempts.”
To further bolster security, advanced surveillance technologies, including drones and high-resolution CCTV cameras, have been deployed to monitor event venues and surrounding areas. 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.
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-tier 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 at Bakshi Stadium, Birdi said the security setup involves the J&K Police, its security wing, and central paramilitary forces to ensure the smooth conduct of events 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 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 is being extended to school-going children to attend the events.
Responding to a query about whether any specific invitations are required, the IGP said the celebrations are 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.