New Year Eve: Security Tightened Across Kashmir, LoC on High Alert Ahead of New Year celebrations, security forces have intensified frisking, checking and surveillance across Srinagar and other sensitive areas of Kashmir to prevent any untoward incident, officials said. Additional deployments have been made at key public places, markets, hotels and entry and exit points of the city, while night patrolling has also been stepped up. Security personnel were seen conducting random frisking and vehicle checks as part of heightened vigilance. Authorities have also placed the Line of Control (LoC) on high alert in the Bandipora and Gurez sectors, where heavy snowfall has covered vast stretches of the border areas. Despite harsh weather conditions, border security forces are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and have increased patrolling to thwart any possible infiltration attempts. Officials said troops deployed along forward posts are keeping a keen watch using enhanced surveillance equipment, including night-vision devices, to counter infiltration bids under the cover of snow and low visibility. Earlier, officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) had warned that terrorist groups often attempt infiltration after winter, taking advantage of melting snow. According to intelligence inputs, around 69 launch pads are active across the LoC in Pakistan-occupied territories, with an estimated 100 to 120 terrorists waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. Security agencies said all preventive measures are in place and forces have been instructed to remain on maximum alert during the New Year period to ensure peace and security across the Valley.