Ganderbal turns into fortress ahead of PM's Visit

Tunnel to develop Sonamarg as winter sports hub: J&K CM

- Press Trust of India

SRINAGAR: The security forces on Sunday intensified sanitization efforts and area domination exercise in Kashmir, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the valley for inauguration of the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district, officials said.

The deployment of security personnel has been increased in the vulnerable areas and dozens of checkpoints have been set up at important intersections in various districts to ensure that anti-national elements are not able to move around freely, they said.

The officials said that random checking and frisking of people and vehicles, including two-wheelers, has been intensified while patrolling is also taking place.

"Security has been tightened near the Z-Morh tunnel. Multilayered security arrangements have been put in place and the Prime Minister's security team, comprising the SPG personnel, has taken over the venue," they said.

The Prime Minister is likely to address a public rally after the inauguration of the tunnel at Gagangir, the officials said, adding the venue is now off-limits for the public.

Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and the army are part of the security apparatus for Monday's inauguration.

Extensive area domination exercises, searches and patrols are being conducted for the smooth conduct of the event, the officials said.

The sharpshooters have been deployed at vulnerable points while aerial and technical surveillance, including through drones, is also being undertaken. The area is being monitored round-the-clock, they added.

The authorities have closed the Srinagar-Leh National Highway from Saturday to Monday "Due to icy road conditions caused by inclement weather and to facilitate maintenance work by road maintenance agencies".

However, it is widely perceived that the arterial road link between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has been shut for the Prime Minister's visit.