Shopian: A cordon and search operation was launched by forces in Keegam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian District on Wednesday, sources said.

They said that men from the 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Indian Army, CRPF and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a massive manhunt following the inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

Witnesses said that door to door search operations were initiated in the area where militants were believed to have taken refuge.

Pertinently, the entry and exit points to and fro from Keegam were sealed by the forces and a tight vigil was put in place to ensure that nobody escapes the cordon.

Meanwhile, forces resorted to aerial firing in Karimabad village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after their vehicles came under stone pelting in the area.

Sources said as soon as forces reached the village, youth present there pelted stones on the vehicles forcing the army men to fire some shots in air to disperse the protesters.

However, situation soon turned normal after forces left the area.

A senior official police official while confirming the incident added that no one was injured in the incident.

Notably, Karimabad is considered to be one of the most volatile village in Pulwama district as whenever forces enter the village, they face angry crowds every time.

An official said that no search operation was launched in the village. He said that army was passing through the village when some youth pelted stones on their vehicles. “Army exercised restraint and left the village without any retaliation,” he claimed. 

 At present there are two militants active in the village. As per police sources, Adnan Hamid Bhat alias Tahir and Zahid Manzoor alias Uzair, both residents of Karimabad are affiliated with Hizbul Mujhadeen. 

 In 2015, a cop Naseer Pandit from the same village had joined militancy along with his three associates Tariq Pandit, Bilal Ahmed and Afaq Ahmed when he fled from the residence of incumbent Education Minister along with two rifles. Naseer and Afaq the son of a policeman were killed in a gunfight while Tariq Pandit is behind the bar.  

Meanwhile, a search operation was also launched at Manchiwa Yaripora village of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Manchiva is the native village of active militant Dr Hilal and the slain LeT Commander Ishfaq Paddar.

Reports said that search operation culminated peacefully.

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