Gunfight rages in Srinagar outskirts after militants attack cops guarding BJP activist

Srinagar: Gunfight raged in Waripora Balhama area in the outskirts of Srinagar city after militants attacked a political activist affiliated with BJP.
Reports added that shortly after the militant attack attempting to decamp the rifles of security personnel guarding a BJP leader Muhammad Anwar Khan, Government Forces cordoned off the area.
A Personal Security Officer of the BJP leader according to reports had suffered minor injuries in his leg.
Reports said that during the cordon and search operation Forces established a contact with the militants.
Locals and eyewitnesses said that intermittent firing is going on between the militants and the Forces.
If sources are to be believed two to three militants are trapped in the area.
Reports said that a trooper Pradep Kumar of 110 Battalion suffered injuries during the initial exchange of fire.
Pertinently, a PSO of BJP leader was injured after militants tried to snatch rifles of constables guarding him in the area.
BJP Spokesperson claimed that the militants attacked their district general secretary Baramulla Muhammad Anwar Khan at his Arsh Medical Institute.
Spokesperson Altaf Ahmed Thakur said Khan escaped unhurt, however, one of his security guards sustained injuries.
Shortly after the incident government forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation and established contact with militants.
A police official said that militants tried to snatch service rifles of security guards; however, they exhibited valour and foiled the attempt. He said that injured policeman suffered grazing injury in leg and is stable.
The official added that no collateral damage was done while the area was cordoned off after the incident.
Reports said that stone-pelting incidents occur near the gunfight sight. Large number of youth pelted stones on the deployed forces who retaliated with tear-smoke shelling.
Massive clashes broke out in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after a word spread in the town that militants trapped in Balhama are locals.
Eyewitnesses said that a large number of youth hit to roads and pelted stones on Police Station. Forces retaliated with tear-smoke shelling.
The clashes disrupted normal life in the town while shopkeepers lowered their shutters.
Youth also pelted stones on deployed forces near Awantipora hospital when a rumour spread there that one of the trapped militants is a local.
All the shops and business establishments got closed after the rumour spread in the town.
Meanwhile, Government Forces resorted to aerial firing in Pampore after scores of protesters pelted rocks on them.
“Soon after the incidents shopkeepers downed their shutters and people ran for cover,” witnesses said.