Says security beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Aug 15
Full-dress rehearsals held in districts
Srinagar, Aug 13: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone V K Birdi on Thursday said police currently have no information confirming an alleged Al-Qaeda link to the November 25, 2025 Red Fort blast in New Delhi.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the full-dress rehearsal for the August 15 celebrations at Bakshi Stadium here, IGP Birdi, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while replying to a query about reports claiming that Al-Qaeda was behind the November 25, 2025 Red Fort blast, said, “I don’t think this is appropriate time to talk about it. If there is anything, we will convey it. As of now, we don’t have anything like this in our knowledge.”
He said that ahead of Independence Day security rehearsals have been conducted across districts to ensure the smooth conduct of programmes. “Robust security arrangements have been put in place across Kashmir,” the IGP added.
On security arrangements following recent attacks, IGP Birdi said investigations are underway and district-level security measures have been strengthened.
“The investigation is going on. For that, the rest of the security arrangements, everyone is organising those arrangements themselves,” he said.
IGP Birdi said full-dress rehearsals have been held in different districts of the Valley, including rehearsals of security arrangements, ahead of the main August 15 programmes.
“We have rehearsed in different districts of the Valley. We have also rehearsed the security arrangements so that we can carry out our main programme on August 15,” he said.
Asked about threats circulating on social media in connection with Independence Day, the IGP said the focus at present remained on ensuring security for the August 15 events. “I think, for now, we should limit ourselves to August 15 and its security,” he said.
IGP Birdi also appealed to people across Kashmir to participate in Independence Day celebrations in large numbers. “August 15 is a national event. I request the public to participate in the events taking place in the districts and administrative units in large numbers and make them successful,” he said.
Pertinently, the Independence Day celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir are being held amid heightened security, with police and other security agencies intensifying arrangements. (KNO)
