Kashmir Highway closed for security reasons

SRINAGAR: The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country and historic Mughal road have been closed for security reasons.
Since there were violent protests at different places on the highway, particularly in the south Kashmir, and Banihal, it was decided to suspend traffic on the highway for security of those who were scheduled to undertake the journey, official sources said.
They said no vehicle, passenger or heavy vehicle was allowed from Jammu or Srinagar today as there was apprehension of more trouble today when the separatist organisations have extended the strike for two more days from today.
Massive protest and violence were witnessed yesterday, when separatist had called for a strike in protest against the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants in an encounter in Anantnag on Friday evening.
Traffic on the highway will be resumed as soon as the situation improves, they said.
Meanwhile, traffic on the historic Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, has also been suspended for security reasons.
No vehicle was allowed from either side of the road, they said. Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with essentials for Kashmir and fruits were stranded at Jammu and Srinagar due to closure of the highway and Mughal road.
However, the national highway, connecting the Ladakh region with Kashmir was through for traffic. (AGENCIES)