The Republic Day was celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday with functions held in all district headquarters in the Union Territory amid tight security arrangements.
The main Republic Day function was held at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha unfurled the tricolour.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, senior politicians, including several MLAs, army, CRPF, police personnel and civil officials were also present at the Maulana Azad Stadium, the main venue.
An army helicopter flew overhead and showered flower petals at the start of the function, much to the delight of the large gathering which raised patriotic slogans.
The Lieutenant Governor inspected the contingents of the Republic Day Parade and took the ceremonial salute.
The Republic Day Parade consisted of smart contingents from Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, IRP (Women & Male), J&K Police, JKAP, UT Disaster Response Force, J&K Fire and Emergency Services, J&K Forest Protection Force, Excise & Taxation Department, Ex-Servicemen, NCC (Boys and Girls), Bharat Scouts and Guides (Girls & Boys) and several school contingents, Brass & Pipe Bands of Army, BSF, J&K Police and Band Troops (Girl & Boys) of different Schools.
Tableaux by different departments on cultural diversity of J&K, PM-Surya Ghar, Swarnim Bharat ki Virasat, Fit India Movement, War against Drugs and impressive Motorcycle Acrobatic display by JKP dare-devils and cultural pageantry based on the different themes were the main attractions of the celebrations.
Before attending the state-level function, the lieutenant governor laid a wreath on the “eternal flame” at the Balidan Stambh war memorial to pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice of the gallant soldiers.
“Paid heartfelt tributes to the valiant martyrs of the police, army and CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces) who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland. The nation is forever indebted to them for their sacrifices and selfless service,” Sinha wrote on X after attending the function organised by the army’s Tiger Division as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
The main R-Day function in Kashmir was held at the Bakshi Stadium Srinagar, where Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary presided over the function and unfurled the tricolour.
The Bakshi Stadium was almost full with an estimated 20,000 people, mostly government employees, attending the event.
It was after six years that ministers of the elected government presided over R-Day functions in J&K.
Tight security arrangements were put in place for the R-Day across Jammu and Kashmir.
While security personnel were deployed in numbers to ensure smooth Republic Day function in the Valley, the atmosphere in the city was visibly relaxed with fewer check posts set up to regulate traffic. Concertina wires were also not used to block the intersections in the city.
Mobile network and internet was not suspended this year.
Suspension of mobile internet used to be a regular feature of the security drill after the 2005 IED blast which was triggered using a mobile phone outside the Independence Day function venue here.
Similar functions were held in all district headquarters of the valley.
In Anantnag, Minister for Education and Health Sakeena Masoo Itoo and Minister for Rural Development Javaid Dar unfurled the tricolour in Baramulla.