Tuesday, March 29 2005 15:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Security agencies in Kashmir have chalked out a two-pronged strategy to foil any attempt by militants to sabotage the resumption of bus service on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route to be flagged off by the Prime Minister in Srinagar on April 7.

"A two-pronged action to deal with the militants has been chalked out. We are strengthening the security on the vital installations, increasing vigil and patrolling. We are also going whole hog against militants as part of the strategy," official sources said today (March 29, 2005).

Army and police have taken over Baramulla-Uri road and installed seven additional check-posts on the 45 km road stretch between Baramulla and Uri to thwart any militant plan to target the bus, the sources said.

All the security agencies here have been asked to maintain a tight vigil on all the vital and sensitive installations to prevent any storming by suicide squads.

Security situation is being reviewed on daily basis to identify and plug the loopholes, the sources said.

"We are leaving nothing to chance. We are fully alive to the situation. We have taken all precautionary measures to keep the ultras at bay," the sources said.

Army Chief General J J Singh yesterday (March 28, 2005) said Army escort would be provided to the bus to foil any militant attempt to disrupt the service.

The first batch of 30 passengers will leave here for Muzaffarabad in two 15-seater buses to be flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 7.