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Ahead of India's Independence Day, Kashmir on High Alert

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Aug 14: A day before India's independence Day, the police, paramilitary and army soldiers have been placed on maximum alert in Kashmir.

The strength of the soldiers at sensitive places and at major government and military installations has been beefed up. "Additional soldiers have been deployed the places to keep militants away from attacking these places," a senior police officer said.

He also said that a three tier-security ring apparatus has been laid around the Baskhi stadium, where the main function of India's independence day will be held on Saturday.

"Hundreds of police and paramilitary soldiers armed with sophisticated weapons have been deployed around the stadium. Besides erecting barricades on the rear and front side of the road, the police had sealed off the road entirely for the vehicles on August 14," a police officer said.

The soldiers carrying anti-mine detectors were seen sanitizing the area. They also used sniffer dogs to detect the explosives, if any, planted by the militants.

Meanwhile, the sharp shooters were deployed at the adjoining areas around the Bakshi stadium.

Police officials claimed that close circuit cameras have been activated to keep an eye on any suspicious movement.

The militants in the past had always made an attempt to create disturbances during the India's independence day functions in Kashmir.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.