Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) which was launched by the government forces last evening in Malangpora Pulwama was called off at around 3 AM as the trapped militants managed to flee, sources said.
A joint team of army, SOG and CRPF acting on a tip off about the presence of militants in the village Malangpora, had laid the cordon.
Soon after the forces laid the cordon locals of the area took to streets and pelted stones on government forces, triggering intense clashes.
Drones cameras were used in the area to trace the hidden militants.
However taking advantage of darkness and stone pelting militants managed to give slip to forces and forced them to called off the operation