G20 meeting: NSG , MARCOS deployed in Srinagar

Srinagar: Four days ahead of the high profile G20 working group meeting on tourism, elite National Security Guards (NSG), also known as the ‘Black Cats’ and Marine Commandos (MARCOS) have been deployed in Srinagar to neutralise any security threat.

On Thursday, the Black Cats appeared at Srinagar’s historic Lal Chowk and took stock of the situation. The NSG accompanied by police and CRPF were seen going inside hotels at the Lal chowk.

“The NSG along with special operations group of J&K police have been deployed at several venues to counter fidayeen (suicide) attacks. They will also be responsible for countering any drone attacks,” officials said, adding “all security agencies are working in synergy.”

On Wedneday, marine commandos were deployed in Dal lake for the security of the G20 meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), from May 22 to 24. The marine commandoes have taken rounds of the Dal lake to counter militant threats.

Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said a three-tier security will be put in place for the G20 meeting.

“For air surveillance, anti-drone equipment is being set up. We are taking help from NSG and the army for the same…” Kumar said.

Kumar said that there will be no restrictions during the G20 meeting.

“Some people are spreading these rumors and they will be identified and brought to justice,” he said.

There is a possibility that the visiting foreign delegates of G20 nations may take boat rides in Dal Lake. The G20 delegates will be taken to the ski-resort of Gulmarg on May 24. The delegates will return to Delhi on May 25.

Apart from the deployment of elite commandoes, Police, Army, CRPF and SSB have stepped up security across the valley. In Srinagar, forces were seen frisking people and searching vehicles

The preparations are on war footing for the smooth conduct of G20 meet which is the first major international event in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

On Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police cautioned people against some international mobile phone numbers, which, it said, are being used to spread rumours about upcoming G20 events and anti-national messages.

UNI