NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
Extra-tight security in the summer capital Srinagar and other towns in the valley marked Republic Day in Kashmir.
Late on Friday night, however, militants bombed a mobile television transmitter at Guroora Bandipore in Baramulla district.
Police said a heavily armed group of militants overpowered the guards at the Doordarshan premises and planted bombs in the mobile van. "There were explosions afterwards," a source said.
The escaping militants forced the policemen to accompany them. They were, however, released later with their weapons.
The main Republic Day function was held as usual at the Bakhshi Stadium. Public Works Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute.
Also as usual, the stadium was mostly empty. Paramilitary forces and commandos had laid siege around the stadium, sealing all roads leading to it. They also occupied all high-rise buildings around the stadium.
Shops and business establishments in the city were closed in view of the strike called by the separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference. Reports from other towns also said the strike was total.
Authorities had made tight security arrangements in Anantnag and Pulwama districts in south Kashmir, the central Budgam district, and the two northern districts of Kupwara and Baramulla.
In Jammu too, they had deployed police and paramilitary forces in strength to maintain law and order. Governor Girish Chandra Saxena unfurled the national flag in the winter capital.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
