Militants escape after brief shootout in Shopian

SHOPIAN — Security operation against militants has been called off in Truka Wangam village of Shopian here in south Kashmir.

The area was brought under siege after militants and combined forces exchanged fire. As the firing stopped, combined forces including soldiers from 44, and 1 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF 178 Battalion and Special Operations Group personnel cordoned off the area and extended search operation beyond the limits of the village.

Door to door searches were conducted while identity cards of the locals were checked; however, no contact with militants was established.

Police sources said that shortly after exchanging a volley of fire with Army, militants, believed to be two in number, escaped from the spot. Forces even conducted thorough search operation in the orchards, but couldn’t find the militants.

This was the third incident of firing between militants and government forces in south Kashmir.

Earlier, at Gulab Bagh Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, militants and government forces exchanged fire. Forces couldn’t trace the militants during the search operation.

In Naipora area of Qazigund Kulgam, two unidentified militants were killed in early hours on Saturday.