Independence Day celebrates in Jammu and Kashmir

Independence Day was celebrated on Thursday across Jammu and Kashmir, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah unfurling the Tricolour at the main function at Bakshi stadium here amid stringent security arrangements. Mr. Omar was given a guard of honour, which was followed by march past in which contingents of various security forces, police and school children took part.

A large number of people had turned up for the function despite moderate showers lashing large parts of the Valley since Wednesday. With authorities apprehending threat from militants, tight security arrangements were put in place across the state, particularly around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue for celebrations.

Cell phone and mobile Internet services were shut across the state while the functions were in progress. This has been part of the security drill for Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations after militants used a cellular phone to trigger an IED blast close to Bakshi stadium in 2005.

Closed circuit TV cameras were installed within the Bakshi Stadium to keep an eye on any suspicious element. Sharpshooters were positioned atop buildings surrounding the venue. Security barricades were erected at many places across the city, and roads leading to Bakshi Stadium in a radius of one kilometre were sealed since Wednesday night.

Only persons with official invitation cards for the function were allowed to proceed beyond these barricades. Security was intensified this Independence Day in view of the recent spurt in militant attacks on security forces in Kashmir Valley. Independence Day functions were also held at all district headquarters in the Valley, where cabinet colleagues of Mr. Omar took salute at the parades.

The celebrations passed off peacefully and there were no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere in the Valley, a police spokesperson said.