Security tightened across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day celebrations
Srinagar, Jan 16: Security has been significantly stepped up across Kashmir ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, with authorities putting in place a multi-layered security grid to ensure peaceful and incident-free observances across the Valley.
Officials said additional deployments of Jammu and Kashmir Police and central armed police forces have been made in sensitive areas, while intensified checking, frisking, and area domination exercises are underway in both urban and rural pockets. Srinagar, in particular, has witnessed enhanced security measures, including the establishment of additional checkpoints at key junctions and along major roads.
“Security arrangements have been strengthened across Kashmir as part of routine measures ahead of Republic Day,” a senior police official said.
“There is no specific threat input at present, but heightened vigilance is being maintained to prevent any attempt to disrupt peace during the national celebrations.”
As part of preventive measures, joint teams of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security agencies are conducting speculative cordon and search operations (CASOs), night patrols and verification drives.
Officials said these steps are aimed at sanitising areas and reinforcing the overall security grid.
In Srinagar and other major towns, security personnel were seen conducting spot checks of vehicles and frisking pedestrians, while surveillance has been stepped up at crowded places, markets and vital installations. Entry and exit points at several sensitive locations are being closely monitored.
A senior CRPF officer said the force was working in close coordination with the local police. “Our focus is on area domination and confidence-building among the public. All operations are being conducted professionally, with care taken to minimise inconvenience to civilians,” the officer said.
Authorities said security arrangements are being reviewed daily in view of evolving ground assessments. “Deployments are being fine-tuned regularly to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of Republic Day functions,” the police official added.
Officials said additional checkpoints have been set up across the city, particularly in Srinagar’s central areas, even though there is no specific intelligence input about the presence of inimical elements. The measures, they said, are purely precautionary.
According to the police, a speculative search operation was recently carried out by Kothibagh Police in coordination with CRPF personnel as part of enhanced security arrangements. The joint teams conducted area domination, spot checks and verification drives at identified locations.
“Keeping in view the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, such preventive exercises are undertaken to plug any security gaps and strengthen the overall security apparatus,” a senior police officer said.
Officials said the operations followed routine security assessments and were aimed at ensuring a safe environment for residents and the smooth conduct of national events.
