PHOTOS: I-Day celebrations pass off peacefully in Kashmir

Independence Day functions across Jammu and Kashmir went off peacefully on Friday even though curfew-like-restrictions were imposed in the old city areas of Srinagar.

Authorities jammed mobile and internet services across the valley as part of the overall security drill for the entire duration of the functions.

Barring timely detection of two IED’s (improvised explosive devices) on a highway in Baramulla, no untoward incident was reported from the rest of the state. The IED's were later defused by a bomb disposal squad.

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Bakshi stadium in the heart of summer capital Srinagar was the venue of the main Independence Day ceremony where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah unfurled the tricolour and took salute of the parade by contingents of the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, local police and school children.

The stadium had been secured by a three tier security bandobast. Heavy contingents of CRPF troopers and local police were deployed in and around the stadium as part of the over all security.

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Specially trained commandos had been deployed on all high-rise buildings around the stadium. All roads leading to the stadium had been barricaded.

Addressing the function, Omar Abdullah made a pointed reference ‘to the improved security situation in the state in his tenure and said that militancy related incidents had dropped by 80 percent’.

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The chief minister said that return of migrant Kashmiri Pandits to their native land has been his cherished desire and his government worked with the Union government to provide a befitting economic package to the Pandits.

He said his government had made a proposal to the Union government for enhancing the economic package for Pandits.

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Omar expressed hope that the new government at the Centre would take early action in this regard.

A complete shut down was observed across the valley called by various separatist groups. Strict restrictions were imposed in areas falling under 5 police stations of the old city to maintain law and order.