Thursday, April 6 2006 15:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Ahead of the farming season in Kashmir valley, Army has asked civilians in rural areas to exercise maximum caution while moving around at night.

"With the onset of summer and approaching farming season, there will be some movement of civilians at night. Given the existing security environment, we request the civilian population to exercise maximum caution," a Defence Spokesman said here.

Movement during night should be carried out only if absolutely necessary. Whenever such movement is unavoidable, it would be prudent to give information to security forces located in the area in advance to avoid any untoward incident, he said.

"We further urge the civilian population to carry properly lit lanterns or 'mashals' (woodden torches) so that their identity can be established by the security force," he said.

Civilians are also requested not to run when challenged by the security forces. These small steps will help us ensure safety of innocent civilians, he added.

The army has been issuing regular instruction for the civilian population in Kashmir valley following couple of incidents in which innocent people were killed by security forces at night, mistaking them for militants.