Security beefed up at Vaishno Devi shrine ahead of I-day

Security was beefed up and high alert sounded at sensitive installations including the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, keeping in view the ongoing unrest in Kashmir Valley and the approaching Independence Day celebrations.
"Keeping in view the present security scenario and the forthcoming Independence Day, security of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Shivkhori shrine has been tightened," Senior Superintendent of Police (Reasi), Sujit Kumar said.
A "high alert" has been sounded and special security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident in the district, he said.
"Police has started long route patrolling jointly with the army for area domination at high ridges. Joint check posts along with CRPF have been activated at several places," Kumar said, adding sources were also activated to gather information about "anti-social" and "anti-national" elements.

"All police stations and police posts have been interconnected through wireless network and phones for sharing information," he said.
Checking and frisking of all types of vehicles at check posts are being conducted round-the-clock, Kumar said, adding Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have also been stationed at several places in the district especially in the Katra where surveillance over "anti-social" elements has been increased through CCTVs.
"All the forces deployed in Reasi have also been put on high alert. Army authorities have also been requested to dominate the high ridges on border to avoid any infiltration of anti-national elements from adjoining districts," Kumar added.

Curfew in some parts and restrictions on the assembly of people continued for the 34th day today in Kashmir Valley where normal life remained disrupted. As many as 55 persons, including two policemen, were killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces.