Have asked our men to maintain extra alert to foil possible attacks by militants: IG CRPF Ravideep Sahi
Srinagar, Dec 24 : Security agencies are apprehending possible strikes by militants on the eve of Christmas and New Year in Kashmir.
According to the wire service—inputs available with the CRPF and other security agencies suggest that the militants, who have been lying low in the wake of scraping of Article 370 on August 5, may mark their presence by carrying out attacks that include stand-offs or would target the security forces through IEDs.
“Though there is no specific threat but yes, there is a general input that the militants may mark their presence by carrying out strikes on the security forces on the eve of New Year and Christmas,” said Inspector General of CRPF, Ravideep Singh Sahi. He said that the CRPF men are maintaining extra alert to foil the possible designs of militants on the eve of New Year and Christmas celebrations. A senior security official said that the militants may try to show their presence by targeting tourist places on New Year and Christmas eves.
“Tourists are coming to Kashmir to celebrate Christmas and New Year. We have decided to ensure fool-proof security at all the tourist places in the days ahead,” he said. The official said that the CRPF personnel are strictly ensuring night patrolling in their respective areas and area domination is part of the regular security drill. “Extra vigil is being maintaining on crucial and sensitive highways while as suspicious vehicles and persons are being stopped at the naka points for frisking,” he said.
Sources revealed that Tourism department is planning to organize celebrations at Gulmarg ski resort on the eve of Christmas on December 25 and New Year on December 31. “The plan is to woo tourists who are keeping themselves away from Kashmir since August 5,” they said.
The tourist footfall in Kashmir has been very less despite the fact that the advisory that was issued on August 3 asking all tourists and non-Kashmiris to rush to their respective states, stands revoked. “Tourist arrivals have drastically gone down since August 5. There are very few tourists present in Kashmir to celebrate Christmas and New Year at Gulmarg and elsewhere in Kashmir,” a tourism official said, wishing not to be named. (KNO)
