India News

Targeted Killings: Security tightened as bunkers, frisking return to Srinagar

According to local sources, top police and paramilitary officials have met numerous times in recent days to assess the security situation in the valley.

Security personnel in Kashmir are on pins and needles as a result of the surge in targeted attacks on civilians, especially on non-local labourers.

In Srinagar city, security around critical sites has been ramped up while new bunkers have been built in and around the city.

Security beefed up in and around the forces’ installations

Security has been stepped up at Army camps, military facilities, and other government entities. In certain places of Srinagar, new bunkers have also appeared.

According to reports in the local media, top police and paramilitary officials have held multiple meetings in the last several days to evaluate the security situation in the valley.

Troops manning key government facilities have been placed on high alert and told to remain vigilant 24/7.

New bunkers have also come up in Srinagar

The J&K Police have also ordered all police stations and other formations to be vigilant. Cops have been asked to put up additional roadblocks along likely high-risk routes and increase night patrols.

Consequently, security personnel erected a bunker along the road in Srinagar’s Bemina area on Thursday. Authorities from the local police say the new bunker will aid in the control of access and egress in the city.

Security measures taken after targeted civilian killings

Pertinently, 11 people have been slain in Kashmir, including five non-local labourers since October 2, causing widespread insecurity in the valley. Over the last several weeks, there has also been an upsurge in encounters between security forces and militants.

Since there has been an increase in militant strikes, militancy appears to be resurgent in the valley. The security forces have, however, increased their presence and are renewing the protection of structures that may be targeted by militants.

Amit Shah’s Kashmir visit from Saturday

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit J-K on October 23. Shah will arrive for a three-day visit to chair security review meetings, address Panchayat members, and meet with political workers in the wake of a spate of targeted killings.

This would be Shah’s first visit to J-K after the Constitution’s Article 370 was declared null and void in August 2019.

Amit Shah’s visit also prompting the forces to tighten the security

The visit has also prompted security personnel to place Nakas (check-points) in several areas of Srinagar to prevent the possibility of an attack.

Frisking has also been observed in numerous locations, especially in Srinagar, by security personnel. The cops have even confiscated hundreds of bikes.

It would not be out of place to mention that a meeting of senior security agencies, paramilitary officers, police chiefs, and others on the country’s internal security was recently held by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting’s major focus was the security situation in Kashmir.

Held at the headquarters of the Intelligence Bureau, this was the first physical gathering of the entire security apparatus since the breakout of COVID-19 throughout the country.

Feature Image: Twitter/JavedDar786

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Aasif Ganaie

Aasif is a journalist and a news enthusiast based in Jammu & Kashmir. He voyages to explore and uncover the stories More »
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