Srinagar– Stringent security arrangements have been put in place across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, with multi-tier security blankets thrown around the main venues in Srinagar and Jammu to ensure peaceful and incident-free events, officials said on Sunday.
In the Kashmir valley, a three-tier security cover has been deployed around Bakshi Stadium, the venue for the main official function. Barricades and checkpoints have been established on all roads leading to the stadium, while large contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across Srinagar to regulate movement and ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations.
A full-dress rehearsal of the Republic Day function was held on Saturday, presided over by Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg. Police have intensified patrolling, vehicle checks and area domination exercises across the valley to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements to disrupt the celebrations.
Officials said special checkpoints and mobile patrols have been activated at strategic locations, with thorough checking of vehicles and individuals. Night patrols and surprise inspections are also being conducted to maintain heightened vigilance. Additional deployments have been made in sensitive areas, and senior police officers at the district level are supervising the arrangements.
The public has been urged to cooperate with security personnel during checking and verification procedures and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or control room.
Meanwhile, in Jammu, the main venue at Maulana Azad Stadium, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will unfurl the national flag, has also been placed under a multi-layered security cover. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is scheduled to attend the main Republic Day event at the stadium on January 26.
Officials said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place not only at the main venue but also at district and tehsil headquarters across the Jammu region, including hilly areas. An armoured police vehicle has been deployed at the main entrance of the stadium, barricades have been erected for crowd control, and both entry gates are being guarded by strong contingents of police and paramilitary forces.
Security forces have also taken control of nearby buildings and strategic locations around the venue to maintain close surveillance on the movement of people.
Officials said a massive anti-terror operation has been underway across the Jammu region over the past month, leading to four encounters, including three in Kathua district and one in Kishtwar district. A Pakistani terrorist affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed in Kathua on January 23.
A paratrooper of the Army was killed and seven other soldiers were injured in an encounter in the Chatroo forest area of Kishtwar on January 18.
Despite recent heavy snowfall affecting operations in higher reaches, officials said security forces remain on high alert and have intensified vigilance along the borders and in the hinterland to prevent any attempt to disrupt Republic Day celebrations. Village Defence Guards have also been mobilised across the Jammu region to further strengthen the security grid, alongside intensified area domination patrols.
