Srinagar: After the alleged escape of two militants from Karimabad village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Government Forces allegedly unleashed a reign of terror and damaged property worth lakhs while thrashed people irrespective of their age and gender.
Locals from Karimabad village alleged that government forces comprising 55 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army, 182 and 183 Battalions of Para-military Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operation Group of J&K Police Pulwama after entering the village in the wee hours, let loose a reign of terror. According to locals, the Government Forces not only thrashed people and damaged public property but also ransacked Central Mosque at Astan Mohalla of the village.
Reports said that after receiving information about the presence of two militants in the Karimabad village, Government Forces cordoned off the area at around 8 on Tuesday night.
A police official said that as the search operation was started to trace the militants, the locals hit to roads and resorted to massive stone-pelting. The locals, mostly youth, pelted stones on government forces, thus disrupting the search operation. The Government Forces retaliated with tear-smoke and pellet shelling resulting in the injuries of some of the protesting youth.
Reports said that the intense clashes between locals and the government forces continued for hours together, while militants allegedly taking advantage of these clashes managed to flee from the spot.
Locals said the operation was called off at around 2.30 in the morning, however, the Government Forces entered into the village again at around 5 of Wednesday morning, creating havoc in the hamlet. “It was a hell like situation. The Government Forces damaged and ransacked houses, parked vehicles and thrashed people irrespective of their age and gender. They also barged into the Central Mosque and damaged its furniture and smashed windowpanes,” alleged locals from Astan Mohalla of the village.
Refuting the allegations, a police official said that some protesting youth armed with sharp edged weapons and stones attacked Security Forces while they were performing their duties.
Srinagar based Defense Spokesperson, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that Army neither ransacked any house nor caused any damage to the place of worship. “Army didn’t manhandle anyone. Neither they ransacked public property nor did they enter into the place of worship. The allegations are baseless,” he said.
