SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Authorities have tightened security in restive Kashmir on the eve of the country’s Independence Day following a recent series of militants attacks across the valley, police and witnesses say.
“Security forces have intensified vigil and patrol and all the necessary arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident,” a security official said.
Many separatist groups in Kashmir, including the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, have called for a strike on Wednesday to protest against celebrations.
Security forces have boosted surveillance around Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, the site of Friday’s celebrations. Roads to the venue have been blocked off.
Additional barricades have been erected and the terraces of high rise buildings have been taken over by sharp shooters from the security forces to ensure that a vigil is kept over the area.
Policemen searched passengers in buses at main roads and by-lanes in Srinagar, witnesses said, with passengers and pedestrians made to queue by the roadside for identification and frisking.
Rebel attacks have intensified in over a month in the valley. Besides a series of grenade attacks and gunfights, suspected militants shot dead a retired police officer in Batamaloo recently.
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