Srinagar/Hyderabad: Jammu and Kashmir have been put under a tight security blanket ahead of the G-20 summit which begins on May 22, the first global event there since August 5, 2019 when the Centre scrapped the special status of the valley.
The purpose of the elaborate security arrangements is to ensure smooth conduct of the meeting which is viewed as crucial for the Centre. A recent rise in terrorist activities in the valley caused concern among the security agencies involved in counter-terror operations. Agencies are reportedly finding it hard to contain these activities. Vigil has also been increased along the International Border and LoC. Special nakas have also been set up at identified places on the Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Poonch and Jammu-Srinagar-Ganderbal National Highways. Around 600 police officers and personnel in plain clothes have been deployed at the conference venue, airport and other important places.
Vigilance from land, water and sky
The venue of the conference has been taken over by commandos of NSG and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, while commandos of CRPF's Water Wing and Navy's MARCOS squad are continuously patrolling Dal Lake in their boats. An anti-drone system has also been installed and the convention venue has been made a no-flying zone. To deal with any danger, vigilance is being done from land, water and sky.
Foreign guests are due to arrive on Sunday to attend the the three-day event which begins on May 22. The GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi visited forward posts in Uri sector and also took stock of the combat preparedness and anti-infiltration machinery of the Army. Marcos squad is stationed in Dal Lake
Under the leadership of the Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, senior police officers and concerned officers of other security agencies are constantly reviewing the security arrangements and making necessary improvements. Navy's MARCOS contingent with CRPF's Water Wing today conducted a joint exercise on preparedness to deal with any emergency at Dal Lake. Along with this, the portion from Nehru Park to Nishat Bagh and Char Chinari in Dal Lake has been closed for common tourists. The conference is being held at Shere Kashmir International Convention Center on the banks of Dal Lake. BSF personnel are continuously patrolling the Chenab River in Pargwal sector of Jammu.
First major international event since 1986
This is the first major international event of its kind after 1986 in Jammu and Kashmir. From the Indian perspective, the meeting assumes significance as the authorities are trying to project a picture of normalcy in Kashmir. New Delhi often blames Pakistan for hatching a conspiracy at the international level to make this conference a failure. Terrorist organisations have also threatened attacks not only in Srinagar but also in other parts of the state during the conference. The security agencies have also foiled a plan being hatched to carry out a terror attack in Gulmarg during the conference. Security forces have been put on alert in the entire state.
NSG commandos and army para commandos deployed at the conference venue
The SOG squad of J&K Police along with NSG commandos and Army para commandos have taken a position to ensure foolproof security of the conference venue and all other places where the foreign guests will stay or visit during their stay in Kashmir. The road from Srinagar Airport to SKICC and Fourshore Road has been deployed by special contingents of CRPF personnel, who are constantly checking the road with sniffer dogs and explosives detection sensors. Patrolling has also been intensified on all the major roads of the Valley including the Srinagar-Jammu Highway.
