Srinagar: A civilian was injured after clashes broke out in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district following the cordon and search operation (CASO) that ended with the militants’ escapade.

According to the reports, the militants escaped the CASO site after exchanging heavy fire with government forces in Bon Mohalla area of Hajin on Monday morning.

A civilian identified as Riyaz Ahmad Rather son of Ghulam Nabi Rather of Rather Mohalla Hajin was injured during the clashes that broke out near the encounter site. He was treated at a local health centre and his condition is said to be stable.

The joint team of army’s 13 Rashtriya Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police cordoned off the area following specific inputs about the presence of some militants.

An eyewitness said that as forces cordoned off the Bon Mohalla of Hajin in Bandipora at around 5 am in the morning a massive exchange of gunfire was heard for almost 15-20 minutes.

As the news of the CASO spread, the youth assembled near the encounter site and restored to protests and stone pelting on Government forces. The forces retaliated with firing tear gas shelling and pellet shotguns.

The eyewitness said that the clashes between government forces and protesters ended at around 9 am.

The official said that forces could not find any militant during the searches and the CASO was called off amid clashes.

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