SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir will celebrate the 80th Independence Day on Friday with elaborate arrangements in place across the Union Territory and heightened security measures to ensure peaceful conduct of the celebrations.
Official functions have been scheduled at district, sub-divisional and block headquarters across J&K, with the civil administration and security agencies completing preparations ahead of the national event.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will preside over the main Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary will lead the celebrations at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu. Full-dress rehearsals have been conducted at major venues where parades, cultural programmes and ceremonial events will be held.
Security has been significantly enhanced across the Union Territory, particularly around major venues, vital installations, highways, entry and exit points and other sensitive locations. Additional deployments and surveillance measures have also been put in place along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.
Officials said the security grid has been reinforced in border sectors including Gurez, Uri, Karnah and Tangdhar in north Kashmir, besides the Sunderbani sector in Jammu. Troops have intensified patrolling and surveillance, while coordination among security agencies has been strengthened to prevent any attempt to disrupt the celebrations.
Advanced surveillance systems, including drones, quadcopters, smart fencing and electronic monitoring equipment, have been deployed in vulnerable areas along the borders. Rapid response teams and specialised units have also been kept on standby for immediate deployment if required.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified checking and surveillance in sensitive areas and strengthened security at key transit points across the Union Territory.
Officials said security agencies are maintaining close coordination and sharing intelligence inputs to ensure peaceful celebrations and guard against any security threat.
Meanwhile, the administration has appealed to people across Jammu and Kashmir to participate in Independence Day functions being organised at various levels. Authorities said all necessary civil and security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of celebrations across the Union Territory. (With inputs from KNO)
