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| Jammu and Kashmir on high alert ahead of Phase 2 of Lok Sabha polls, intel warns of terror strike on highway | | | Srinagar: Ahead of the second phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, intelligence reports have warned of a possible terror strike in the state, stating that terrorists may aim to execute ‘terror strike to cause destruction’. A high alert has been sounded in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the second phase of polls on April 18, Times Now reported.
Intelligence agencies have reportedly received inputs that terrorists may carry out motorcycle blast along the highway in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the intel report, the blast may be carried out during the morning hours. The report also speculated that the probable areas with very high risk are Batwara and Tatoo regions.
The agencies said that terrorists plan to disrupt peace in the region. The terror warning comes following the first phase of Lok Sabha election on April 11 which saw a large turnout of voters who exercised their franchise. The total voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir was approximately 56% on April 11, with 35% of electorates voting in Baramulla constituency and nearly 67% voting recorded in Jammu.
Notably, the alert has been issued almost two months after the deadly Pulwama attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed. On February 14, a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operative rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus carrying the CRPF jawans. The bus was a part of the 78-vehicles convoy of the security personnel which was traveling from Jammu to Srinagar.
Meanwhile, post the attack, the government has ordered that the Jammu-Srinagar highway, which is the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of India, will remain shut for civilian traffic twice a week - Wednesdays and Sundays - till May 31 in order to ensure smooth movement for security cavalcades. The ban on civilian vehicular traffic would be imposed from 4 am to 5 pm.
However, the opposition parties in the state have slammed the government over the ban of civilian movement on the highway.
Significantly, following the attack, the CRPF has decided to obtain a new fleet of mine-protected vehicles (MPVs) and small 30-seater buses for safer travels of its security personnel in Kashmir.
The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will see 97 constituencies in 13 states and Union Territories go to polls. Srinagar and Udhampur constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls on April 18. |
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