Search operation underway in five villages of Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Combined government forces launched a cordon and search operation in five villages of south and north Kashmir. These include three villages from Shopian.

Official sources said that three villages of south Kashmir’s Shopian including Chek Cholan, Trenz and Sugan were brought under siege after inputs about the presence of militants in these areas.

On 10 June, five local militants were killed in Sugan area of Shopian district. Barely after two weeks, this village was once again brought under siege.

Sources added that soldiers from 44 Rashtriya Rifles and 178 Battalion CRPF conducted searches in three villages of Shopian, however, no contact with militants was established.

A search operation was also launched in Peerbal area of Yaripora Kulgam. Door to door searches were conducted while identity cards of people were checked.

Meanwhile, the search operation launched by 13 RR and 45 Battalion CRPF at Sodnara village of Sumbal here in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district was called off after no contact with militants was established.

Cordon and search operations are a permanent feature in Kashmir. Most of the search operations lead to gunfights, resulting in the killing of militants.