Badgam (J-K), Dec 6: In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the authorities have beefed up security in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the fourth phase of the seven-phased assembly polls in the region.

Eighteen constituencies are going to polls on Sunday in the state.

Personnel of the paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed in the region to ensure free and fair polls.

A total of 107 companies of BSF have been deployed in the regions going to polls on Sunday.

Following the Mumbai terror attacks the BSF has pulled out all stops to prevent any untoward incident during the polls.

Security has been heightened and the BSF personnel could be seen patrolling and conducting security checks in and around the polling booths.

The terrorist attack looming large, the personnel have been specially briefed and trained to tackle any terror activity during the polls.

"The militants can throw grenades, use explosives and in remote areas they can also indulge in stand-off fires or make use of rocket launchers, so keeping all these threats in mind which are there in Kashmir, we have briefed and prepared the personnel to tackle any such situation," said S. K. Singh, Director General, Paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF).

The people appear satisfied with the enhanced security arrangements and the BSF''s efforts to ensure the security of the people.

The earlier resentment that the people held for the security forces is now paving way for newfound admiration.

"BSF is playing a good role in the region. They play an active role in ensuring the security during the elections at polling booths and even ensuring the security of the independent candidates. The people are also happy with them, as compared to earlier times, the BSF personnel now do not force the people to go and vote, they do it of their own accord now and BSF is really gaining ground amongst the people as well," said Suhail, a resident.

Although a high turnout in the state elections in Kashmir would indicate a sense of normalcy, the Mumbai attacks have cast a long shadow.

Jammu and Kashmir, a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since 1947, has been grappling with militancy for over two decades now.

The two nations, both with nuclear weapons capabilities, were on the brink of a fourth war in 2002 after an attack on Indian parliament was blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

Although the exchange of fire between both the armies is regular at the Line of Control, it has dropped considerably since a peace process began in 2004.

But the recent Mumbai attacks have increased tensions between India and Pakistan. New Delhi says the militants based in Pakistan were involved in the attacks, and has demanded that Islamabad hand over 20 of its most wanted fugitives.

The prime suspect for the Mumbai attacks is Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group fighting Indian rule in disputed Kashmir. The analysts say the LeT has had ties with Pakistani intelligence agency. (ANI)