Security has been beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day

Security has been beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day even as full dress rehearsal of the parade was held at the Valley's main venue, Bakshi stadium, today.

Additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the city and at entry points to the summer capital of the state to thwart any militant attacks or subversive activities ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, police sources said.

Police have set up barricades at many places to carry out random searches of vehicles entering the city, the sources said.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation and police personnel have started removing snow from the road side to ensure that militants do not use it to hide any explosives, they said.

Armed personnel and policemen in civvies have been deployed around the Republic Day function venue to keep an eye on any suspicious persons, they said.

Similar security arrangements have been put in place in all district headquarters of the Valley for ensuring peaceful and smooth Republic Day celebrations, the sources said.

A senior official of the state police intelligence wing said there were no specific inputs about any militant attack on the eve of the Republic day but they were not taking any chances with the security arrangements.

Meanwhile, full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade was held at Bakshi stadium amidst tight security, the sources said.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar took salute at the march past by contingents of various wings of police, CRPF and other security forces, they said.