SRINAGAR, May 11: Security forces were put on maximum alert following reports that militants may cause disturbances on the eve of the reopening of civil secretariat offices in Srinagar, the summer capital on Monday.

In militancy-related incidents, a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member and two militants were among four people killed, while forces captured nine militants in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.

An official spokesman said one person was injured when Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on Indian positions in Jammu sector on Saturday evening. The injured person - identified as Haresh Kumar - was admitted to hospital.

Security forces were put on maximum alert in the valley, particularly in the capital following a two-day hartal call given by the All Party Hurriyat Conference.

The district authorities have also imposed curbs on the movement of traffic on some routes in the city for two months.

This has been done to allow free movement of vehicles carrying migrant employees from different graded houses of the civil secretariat.

Police have also closed the high security Gupkar Road to all civil transport, and even school buses are not being allowed to ply on this route where the chief minister, his ministerial colleagues and top intelligence officers reside.

The director general of the Border Security Force (BSF), during a recent press conference, had said the militants were likely to increase activities after the shifting of office to Srinagar. However, forces are ready for any challenge, he said. A defence ministry spokesman said troops had arrested two militants recently.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.