Srinagar: A group of militants in South Kashmir’s Shopian district managed to break the cordon after engaging government forces in a brief fire-fight.
Reports said that after receiving inputs about the presence of militants, the combined forces led by Army’s 34 Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off Sagran Imam Sahab area of Shopian district in the middle of the night. As the search operation was launched, the militants present in the village engaged Forces in brief gun fight. Witnesses said that atmosphere was reverberated with the sounds of bullets.
A police official confirmed that militants after a brief exchange of fire managed to escape from the village. He said that there were at least four militants in the area.
Sources said that the militant group that escaped from the spot were led by Hizb Commander Mufti Islah Falahi.
Locals clashed with government forces amid pro-freedom slogans when the siege was lifted in the village.
Meanwhile, a search operation in Gaharpora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district culminated peacefully after Forces established no contact with militants. The village was cordoned off after Forces received in puts about the presence of militants. “During the door to door search operation no contact with militants was established,” said an official.
