Security beefed up in north Kashmir

Baramulla, Aug 13: Ahead of Independence Day, security forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district intensified efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for the celebrations.

A top officer said that there had been an increase in checkpoints during the day and night besides the focus of the security forces would be on patrolling.

“We have also set up mobile checkpoints which will be laid at any area, anytime, only to avoid untoward incidents,” a top security officer said.

He said that intensified checking was being done in all areas including Bandipora, Sopore, Budgam, and inter-district routes.

Notably, the security agencies including the Army, J&K Police, and paramilitary CRPF along with other agencies convened around three meetings during the past few weeks given the I-Day celebrations.

“Around 20 new checkpoints have been set up by J&K Police in Baramulla town and outskirts while a close vigil is being kept on the overall situation in north Kashmir districts,” a top official said.

The officer said that all the security agencies had given their feedback and all the inputs available to the different security agencies.

He said that overall the situation was under control but there was always an apprehension of some untoward incident for which the security forces increased their presence and area domination was maintained to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.

“All the security agencies are working in close coordination and synergy to thwart any untoward incident,” the officer said.

As part of the elaborate security arrangement, barricading has been done at several points while vehicles are being checked.

Meanwhile, the joint teams of J&K Police and CRPF have increased frisking of vehicles and the onboard passengers.

The frisking points have been set up at strategic locations where the vehicles are checked extensively while proper frisking of commoners is also done.

Joint security forces, including the Police, Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Special Operations Group (SOG) Baramulla, CRPF, and highly-trained Jammu and Kashmir Police (OCAPS) team are alert ahead of the Independence Day.

Apart from Baramulla town, security forces have intensified checking of vehicles and frisking of people, particularly motorcycle-borne youth in Sopore town.

The senior Police officers are personally monitoring the security situation by using the latest and advanced technology. Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure said that security forces were already highly vigilant, alert, and prepared and had increased the alertness and security measures more in light of the August 15 function.

This year, the venue for the August 15 function in Baramulla will be Prof Showkat Ali Stadium.