In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian authorities have virtually fortified the Kashmir valley particularly Srinagar ahead of the visit of Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday. According to Kashmir Media Service, massive contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across Srinagar,  turning large parts of the city—particularly the vicinity of the University of Kashmir at Hazratbal—into a heavily militarized zonewith multi-layered security grids established along all major routes leading to the university campus.  

Indian forces’ personnel are manning key intersections, erecting barricades, conducting intensified vehicle searches, and subjecting commuters to frisking, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Additional checkpoints have been set up at entry and exit points of the city, while random checking and identity verification drives have been launched. Residents in several areas reported frequent disruptions and heightened surveillance, as authorities imposed strict movement controls under the guise of “standard protocol” for the visit. 

As part of what officials described as preventive measures, Indian forces carried out speculative Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in different parts of Srinagar and adjoining areas on Monday. Door-to-door searches were conducted in so-called sensitive localities, further tightening the grip of the occupation forces and reinforcing the perception of collective punishment. The University of Kashmir campus has been placed under an extraordinary military lockdown, with access strictly regulated. Multiple frisking points, barricades, sniffer dogs, and bomb disposal squads have been deployed around the premises.

Students and faculty members expressed concern over the overwhelming presence of armed personnel during what is meant to be an academic ceremony. Observers say the massive military build-up once again exposes the fragility of India’s claims of “normalcy” in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They maintain that if the situation is truly peaceful, such extraordinary restrictions and militarization would not be required for the visit.  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)