Srinagar is readying to host a G20 working group meeting on tourism later this month, its first major international event after the 2019 scrapping of special status, even as elite marine commandos and black cats are engaged to thwart possible attacks amid a spike in militancy.

The authorities on Wednesday sounded a red alert across army installations on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway and temporarily closed army public schools in the area on the basis of inputs about a possible militant attack ahead of the G20 meeting.

Two freshly infiltrated militants were killed separately on Kashmir’s border with PoK in the Machil sector — the developments suggesting militants are trying to create trouble ahead of the multinational meet scheduled to be held between May 22 and 24.

The choice of the venue for the meet is aimed at conveying a strong message of normality in Kashmir to the global community. Around 50 delegates are expected to participate. Pakistan and China have opposed the meeting.

A high-profile security meeting in Srinagar on Tuesday evening decided to deploy Marcos, a special forces unit of the Indian Navy, and the National Security Guard, popularly called black cats, to secure G20 venues in Srinagar, betraying nervousness despite claims of normality.

That will be in addition to the deployment of army, paramilitary and police forces across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Marcos are modelled on the US Navy Seals and conduct amphibious warfare and counter-terrorism operations. They were deployed in Kashmir in 1995 for counter-militancy operations in and around the Wular Lake in north Kashmir, but have played a limited role in tackling militancy.

Officials said the Marcos would be deployed on the Dal Lake and the Jhelum river, around the main venue of the G20 meet — the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre.

The NSG is trained and equipped to deal with specific situations but used only in exceptional cases to “thwart serious acts of terrorism”.

Officials said a meeting headed by additional director-general of police Vijay Kumar discussed potential militant attacks, including suicide strikes, standoff fire and grenade attacks, and devised measures to counter any such threat.

While the Marcos will be deployed in water bodies close to the venue to deal with water-borne threats, the NSG will be stationed for “counter-suicide attacks” along with special operations group personnel of the police at all the venues. They will also be responsible for countering possible drone attacks, the police said.

In addition to glossy G20 logos installed at multiple places, the visitors will be greeted by rows of lampposts illuminated in the green, white and orange of the national flag.