Extreme tight security for PM's Kashmir visit in wake of shutdown call by separatists

Sharp shooters, barricades, luggage checks and more - the security forces are taking no chances in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir Friday.

Traffic moved at a snail's pace Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Jahangir Chowk, Karan Nagar and other busy business hubs in the city Thursday as police erected barricades, stopped vehicles and checked luggage to prevent guerrillas from carrying out any attack here.

Sharpshooters have also been posted at vantage points in the city and some other towns of the Valley to keep round the clock vigil at such places.

Modi is chairing a high level security review meeting at the Badami Bagh headquarters of army's 15th corps in Srinagar Friday.

The meeting would also be attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, GOC-n-C army's northern command Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda, state Director General of Police K. Rajendra Kumar, GOCs of 14th, 15th and 16th corps, senior officials of central and state intelligence agencies besides those from central paramilitary forces.

The prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate a 240 megawatt hydro-power in the border town of Uri in Baramulla district.

The 87-kilometre long highway from Srinagar to Uri is being secured by over 2,000 security personnel even though the same would not be used by the prime minister to reach Uri town.

"He is scheduled to fly to Uri, but the prime minister's entourage and all other officials would be using the highway to reach Uri town," official sources said here.

Separatists have called for a complete Valley wide shutdown Friday against Modi's visit.