The 67th Republic Day was celebrated with great patriotism and fervour at the Bakhshi Memorial Sports Stadium here on Tuesday despite the shutdown call by the separatists.
The celebrations began with the annual military parade under tight security due to the fear of militant attacks at the stadium.
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State Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon unfurled the national flag and took the salute. Speaking on the occasion, Samoon said Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards development but added that peace is must to achieve this goal.
The kids, who performed on the occasion, showed great patriotism.
The personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) took part in the parade along with the school children.
The main attraction of this year's celebration was the presence of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and former chief minister Omar Abdullah at the Republic Day function.
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A complete shutdown was observed today in Kashmir valley. All shops and business establishments remained closed. Traffic was off the roads as the security was tightened all over the valley.
A large number of Para troopers were seen patrolling the streets in Srinagar.
The shutdown call was given by Hurriyat Conference chairman Sayed Ali Shah Geelani, who had asked the people to observe January 26 as a black day.