Amid CASO, firing underway in Riyaz Naikoo’s village

AWANTIPORA — Exchange of fire is going on between militants and government forces in the native village of Hizbul Mujahideen commander in south Kashmir.

Government forces on Tuesday night launched a nocturnal cordon and search and operation at Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo’s village at Beighpora village of Awantipora township in Pulwama district.

Police sources said that on Tuesday night, the forces launched search operation in the village following “specific inputs” about the presence of two-three militants including Hizb commander Riyaz Naikoo in the area.

“Forces launched house-to-house searches in the area, which are still in progress. Large number of security forces including para commandos were pressed into service,” said a witness.

They said some JCB’s were called to Beighpora and Gulzarpora and a massive search operation was launched.

They added that Jammu Kashmir Police, soldiers from 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 185 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jointly launched the operation.

A police official said that intermittent firing is going on while they have inputs that top commander is trapped.

Meanwhile, in another encounter in Khrew area of Pulwama, police said that it killed a militant so far while search operation is underway.