The Kashmir police have sounded an alert against an 18-year-old girl from Pune who they suspect could be a possible suicide bomber at the Republic Day parade.
A communiqué to all district police heads by Kashmir IG, Munir Khan said they had strong input that the woman, a resident of Yerwada, Pune, who is current in the Valley, “may cause suicide bomb explosion near or inside the Republic Day parade venue”.
“All are directed to please ensure that frisking of ladies is done meticulously and with utmost caution so as to thwart the nefarious designs of the ANEs (anti national elements),” the communication read.
Munir Khan tried to play down the issue. “This is nothing but a simple input which we have asked to verify,” he said.
This year, the venue for Republic Day functions has been changed from Bakshi stadium to the cricket stadium at Church Lane in Srinagar, due to ‘construction work’ at Bakshi Stadium.
The alert has added to the headache of security forces who are cautious owing to recent revival of suicide attacks and IED blasts by Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit in the region.