Security stepped up across J&K for R-Day

Security has been beefed up across Jammu and Kashmir, including a tight vigil on Jammu-Pathankot national highway, to thwart any plans of militants to disrupt the Republic Day celebrations.
Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed in the two regions of the state to keep an eye on any suspicious activity.
"Security apparatus has been tightened in all the places in Jammu and round the clock security has been provided to all the venues for the R-Day celebration," Deputy Inspector General of Police Jammu-Kathua Range Ashook Wani told PTI.
Police personnel were maintaining a strict vigil on all the main roads especially on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, Wani said.

Meanwhile in Kashmir, barricades have been set up at many places to carry out random searches of vehicles entering the city, an official said.
Police personnel have been carrying out area domination exercises in the areas around Bakshi Stadium, where the Valley's main parade will be held on Tuesday, and around the venues at district headquarters, he said.

The official said the security agencies are on a heightened alert in view of the recent attack on an Air base in Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab.
The security forces have adopted a proactive approach over the past week, arresting seven militants from various places in the valley.

While two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were arrested from south Kashmir's Shopian district, five cadres of Harkatul Mujahideen were nabbed from Baramulla district in north Kashmir.
In the absence of an elected government, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir will preside over the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium for second consecutive year.
"All the vehicles entering or leaving the city are being frisked, suspicious activities are being monitored and additional QRTs (Quick Reaction Teams) have been deployed on all the vulnerable routes," DIG Wani said.
In the wake of this month's terrorist attack on an Air Force base in Pathankot, the Border Security Force (BSF) has beefed up its security apparatus along the International Border (IB) in Jammu region.

"Nothing has been left on chance, full arrangements have been kept all along the border to foil any nefarious designs. Though we never let our vigil along the IB down, but special arrangements are always kept in place whenever some important event takes place," a BSF official said.
The Jammu and Kashmir police has also sought the cooperation of the people attending the Republic Day function in Jammu to avoid any inconvenience.
In a statement issued here today, Senior Superintendent of Police, Security Jammu, has urged the people not to carry items including cameras, arms, ammunitions, sharp-edged weapons, hand and polythene bags, ladies purse, lunch boxes, stop watches, pens, any inflammable material, cigarettes, match boxes, and other such objectionable items to the venue.

The people have been asked to immediately inform the police on duty in case any suspicious item is noticed lying unattended.
The statement has urged people to extend full cooperation to the frisking and checking teams deployed at different gates of MA Stadium and ensure their presence at the venue well in time so that they are seated comfortably and don't cause any inconvenience to others.