A day after cops’ killing, massive search op launched in south Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A day after killing of three cops in south Kashmir’s Shopian district by militants, a massive cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched by army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 10 villages of Pulwama and Shopian districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
More than 1,000 personnel of army, police and CRPF were involved in the operation. A senior army officer told Hindustan Times that they had received inputs that some of the militants could be hiding in the area. “The searches were called off late in the afternoon.”
Locals said the search operation was launched at Lasipora, Armula, Alaipora, Batnoor, Garbug, Naupora Paeen, Hajdar Pora and Achan of Pulwama and Heff and Shermal of Shopian district. The villages are located close to Shopian district which is the one of the highest militancy infested district. The operation was launched after the information that militants who had carried out killings could be hiding in these villages.
On Friday morning, militants had abducted three cops from Kaparan and Batagund villages and killed them within hours after their abduction. From past few months, militants have been threatening the cops to resign from their jobs or face the consequences. This year, as may as 37 policemen have been killed by militants, most of the cops were killed in south Kashmir.
CLASHES BETWEEN YOUTHS AND SECURITY FORCES
Meanwhile, clashes broke out between groups of youth and security forces during the CASO at Heff village. Villagers pelted stones on the army and police, following which the police used tear-smoke shells and cane charge to disperse them.
“The army cordoned around 10 to 12 villages within a radius of five to six kilometers, they made through searches in the houses and were looking for militants,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Lasipora. This year army has launched several cordon and search operations in south Kashmir, especially in Pulwama and Shopian districts where many local youths had joined militant ranks despite killing of militants in the operations.
A senior police officer did not rule out more operations in the coming days in the two districts.