Alert in valley: Security convoys off roads; bar on Abdullahs from leaving house

MOVEMENT of Army and paramilitary forces’ automobiles was suspended throughout Kashmir Valley on Sunday following inputs that militants could attempt to perform an assault on the second anniversary of the Pulwama automobile bombing that killed 40 paramilitary personnel two years in the past.
This got here a day after J&Okay Police knowledgeable the Army and different Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) to keep away from motion of convoys and remoted automobiles within the valley.
“In view of imminent threat, a strict dry day shall be observed and no convoy movement, repeat no convoy movement, be allowed,” police knowledgeable the Army and paramilitary forces. “All administrative valley movement of vehicles should also be restricted across valley. Movement of isolated vehicles, in particular, should be avoided at all costs. No movement of Army/CAPF vehicles on interior routes may be allowed.”

While the motion of Army convoys have been suspended a number of instances previously, particularly throughout civilian protests or doable militant assaults, it’s for the primary time that the armed forces had been requested to limit all motion – barring that for anti-militancy operations – within the wake of a militant risk.
Sources within the police stated the suspension of motion of safety convoys was taken as a precautionary measure after inputs that militants would possibly attempt to perform a sensational assault Sunday.
The police additionally barred former CM Omar Abdullah and his father, parliamentarian Farooq Abdullah, from leaving their homes.
“This is the ‘naya/new J&K’ after Aug 2019. We get locked up in our homes with no explanation. It’s bad enough they’ve locked my father (a sitting MP) & me in our home, they’ve locked my sister & her kids in their home as well,” Omar tweeted on Sunday morning. “Chalo, your new model of democracy means that we are kept in our homes without explanation but on top of that the staff that works in the house aren’t being allowed in and then you are surprised that I’m still angry & bitter.”
Responding to Omar’s allegation, the police stated it was accomplished on account of safety considerations. “Today is 2nd Anniversary of dreaded Lethpora terror incident. There shall be NO ROP [Road Opening Party] on ground. Due to adverse inputs, movement of VIPs/ Protected Persons has been discouraged and all concerned were informed in advance not to plan a tour today,” the J&Okay Police responded to Omar on Twitter.

Omar, nonetheless, stated: “I’m not even sure if this is actually a police Twitter handle since it’s not verified but assuming it is – please tell me under which law you have detained me in my home today? You can advise me not to leave my house but you can’t force me to stay in using security as an excuse.”