Militants triggered at least four grenade blasts in the Kashmir Valley on Friday, putting security agencies on high alert on the eve of Republic Day. Meanwhile, intelligence agencies sounded fresh alerts on possible bids by militant outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) to disrupt functions in the Valley, a senior police official said.
Police said militants launched four grenade attacks, targeting police pickets, a CRPF bunker and an Army camp in south Kashmir’s Tral, Pulwama, Sopore and Anantnag areas on Friday afternoon and late in the evening.
“One policeman, Sajad Ahmad, sustained splinter injuries in the grenade blast that occurred near a police post at the bus stand in Anantnag,” the official said.
A top police official said an alert has been raised after JeM modules in Srinagar and south Kashmir were said to be planning to disrupt Republic Day functions in the Valley. Police sources said six people have been already arrested in the incidents of twin grenade blasts in capital Srinagar recently. “There are pointers of JeM modules mobilising men to create a situation,” said a source.
In the wake of the fresh alert, multiple check points and barricades were set up in Srinagar on Friday and all roads leading to the main venue, Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Sonwar, were put under a multi-tier security blanket. Frisking of vehicles and pedestrians were carried out all day at busy centres in the Valley. Vehicular traffic will remain suspended around the main venue in Srinagar on Saturday, according to the police.
“Militants as well as Pakistan always try to disrupt such functions, aimed to create scare among the people. But police and other security forces have made special and adequate security arrangements for smooth conduct of celebrations,” said Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh.
The authorities also launched a clampdown on separatists on the occasion. JKLF chairman Yasin Malik is among the separatists detained ahead of the functions.
In his R-Day message, Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed his gratitude to the armed forces “for working tirelessly in maintaining the unity and integrity of the nation”.
“Our neighbouring country continues to support terrorists to disrupt peace and harmony in the State. There have been repeated attempts to infiltrate terrorists across the International Border and Line of Control. Notwithstanding the tough terrain, climate and other challenges, our security forces continue to maintain strict vigil and alertness on our frontiers. They carried out effective operations to neutralise the largest ever number of terrorists in a year,” said Mr. Malik.
He said the huge turnout in the recently-concluded panchayat and municipal elections “was an indicator of people’s yearning for peace and development”. “It is a matter of deep anguish that a number of our youths, some of whom were pursuing professional studies, were influenced by extremist ideology to pick up the gun and join groups that perpetrate violence,” Mr. Malik added.
