On the eve of the Republic Day ,mobile internet services have been blocked for the first time in Kashmir

As part of the security drill, internet services on mobile phones and data cards were suspended.

This year the main Republic Day function will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium instead of the regular venue --Bakshi Stadium.

The area around the cricket stadium was sealed yesterday for full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade.

The law enforcing agencies are carrying out random frisking and searches of vehicles entering the city.

It is normal practice in Kashmir to suspend the internet services on Republic and Independence Day. 

However, it is the first time that these services were withdrawn a day earlier.

Traffic police has issued an advisory for movement of vehicles between the city centre and south Kashmir and no vehicle will be permitted to move along the Ram Munshi Bagh-TRC stretch of the road during the rehearsal and Republic Day.