Army sounds alert across north Kashmir over militant movement

Srinagar: Army has sounded an alert in parts of central Kashmir after receiving intelligence reports about the movement of a group of militants, who are planning to carry out an attack on security installations.

Official sources told Global News Service that army’s 2 RR are maintaining high alert in Narbal, Lawaypora in outskirts of Srinagar city and Soibugh and Magam area of the Budgam district following specific intelligence inputs that suggest movement of 2-3 heavily armed militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba headed by Qasim Bhai. The LeT group, sources said, were planning to sneak in north Kashmir ahead of polls scheduled to be held on May 7.

“Army has inputs that the militants were moving to Baramulla from Budgam district. From last two days, the militants are trying to enter north Kashmir district,” sources said.

“Besides Narbal, Lawaypora and Soibugh, army has started search operations in the other areas of the district to track down the militants. Highest vigil is being maintained in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara to prevent the militants from carrying out any strike ahead of polls,” sources added.

They said that security has been put on maximum alert across north Kashmir, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Army, sources said, has also intensified patrolling in many volatile parts of north Kashmir amid apprehensions that the militants might try to disrupt the elections.

“Nakas have been established at many places along the Srinagar-Baramulla -Bandipora -Sopore -Handwara-Kupwara highways. Small passenger and private vehicles are being thoroughly checked at several places. Besides it, motorcyclists are also thoroughly frisked by the forces, deployed in huge numbers,” sources said.

The security, sources said, has been beefed in Lolab Valley, where army has already started search operations in the forest areas on Tuesday. (GNS)