Clashes in Pulwama and Hajin after Forces launch CASO

Pulwama/Bandipora: Massive clashes broke out in different parts of Hajin town of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district after government forces launched a cordon and search operation on Friday morning.
Reports said that 13 Rashtriya Rifles along with police and CRPF launched a search operation in different parts of Hajin town including Bangar Mohalla, Dangar Mohalla, Par Mohalla, Kochik Mohalla, Sheikh Mohalla and Hajin Ghat.
Reports said as the operation was launched people in large numbers took to roads and clashed with government forces. The Forces responded with tear-smoke shelling. The clashes continued for hours. Reports said that the operation was called off as no contact with militants was established.
Meanwhile, clashes erupt after Forces launch search operation in South Kashmir village
Pulwama: Clashes erupted in Lassipora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after government forces cordoned off the area and started a search operation to flush out militants.
Reports said that government forces comprising 55 Rashtriya Rifles of Army, Special Operation Group of Jammu Kashmir Police and CRPF 182 Battalion cordoned off Tantray Pora area of Lassipora village after receiving inputs about the presence of militants there.
Witnesses said that a large number of people hit to roads and pelted stones on the government forces. The Forces tried to charge protesters with canes, but as the stone-pelting continued, they responded with tear-smoke shelling. Witnesses added that government forces fired some shots in air as the clashes intensified.
Despite clashes, the operation continued, however, government forces could not establish contact with militants.