Security stepped up in Kashmir for R-Day

Two days ahead of the Republic Day, security has been beefed up across Kashmir Valley to thwart any plans of militants to disrupt the celebrations.
Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed in the city and at entry points to the summer capital of the state, a police official said.
Security forces have set up barricades at many places to carry out random searches of vehicles entering the city, the 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.

Policemen have also been deployed in civil uniform around the Republic Day function venue to keep an eye on any suspicious person, the official said.
Similar security arrangements have been put in place in all district headquarters of the Valley, he added.

"There are no specific inputs about any militant attacks ahead of the Republic Day in the Valley but we are not taking any chances," the official said.
He said 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.
Meanwhile, full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade was held at Bakshi Stadium today amidst tight security.
In the absence of an elected government, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir will preside over the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium for second consecutive year.
While the state was under Governor's Rule last year as PDP and BJP were thrashing out the Agenda of Alliance, the state is again under the Governor's rule as PDP did not stake claim to form government after Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away on January 7.