Normal life was hit in parts of Capital Srinagar on Sunday after a shootout in Batamaloo between terrorists and security forces resulting in the death of a counter-insurgency policeman and injuries to five cops, including three paramilitary personnel.
The encounter took place during pre-dawn hours followed by a massive cordon and search operation in the area that continued for the entire day.
Police said that two suspected accomplices of militants have been detained. “A proper hideout was also busted and incriminating material was recovered from the encounter site,” police said. locals said that one among detained included brother of the owner of the house where terrorists were staying.
A police official said that a terrorist is understood to have been injured in the initial firefight and the search operation was launched to nab the injured militant and his other accomplices. Reports said three terrorists were hiding in the area.
Security sources said that at least three terrorists managed to escape from the spot after exchanging fire with the forces while taking advantage of darkness.
Reports said that the owner of the house where terrorists were reportedly staying also received injuries during the shootout. He was shifted to Srinagar hospital where his condition is said to be stable.
Security sources said that Selection Grade Constable of Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police Parvaiz Ahmad of Buddhal Rajouri was killed during initial phase of gunfight with terrorists that broke out in the pre-dawn hours around 3 a.m. They said that other two policemen and three CRPF personnel also sustained injuries in the firefight.
Earlier, security forces launched cordon and search operation (CASO) during pre-dawn hours on the basis of specific information about the presence of terrorists near Unani Hospital adjacent to Dyarwani Batmaloo area. They said as the forces reached the suspected spot, the hiding militants from a proper hideout opened indiscriminate fire in which three SOG members and as many CRPF personnel sustained injuries.
The internet services have been restored in Srinagar district after remaining snapped for several hours following launch of counter terrorist operation in the Batmaloo area.
Earlier, during the wreath laying ceremony tributes were paid to slain constable Parvaiz Ahmad at District Police lines Srinagar. Senior Civil, Police, army, CRPF, BSF and other security wings were present on the occasion.
Security sources quoting intelligence inputs, said that the terrorist group in the Batmaloo area was planning to carry out action in Srinagar city on the eve of Independence Day.
Meanwhile, two persons including an old aged woman sustained injuries during clashes between protesters and security forces in Sirnoo village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The injured have been shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Security sources said that local protesters particularly youth took to streets after security forces launched cordon and search operation at Kar Mohalla in Sirnoo village after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
However, the local people disrupted the counter terrorist operation to provide safe passage to the trapped terrorists.
As the stone pelting intensified the forces used tear smoke shells and pellets to quell the protesters leading to injuries to at least two including an old aged woman of the area.
The situation in the area was reported tense.
Meanwhile, a person who was critically injured along with two other persons at Tosamaidan in Khag area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district succumbed to injuries in a Srinagar hospital here.
Three persons had suffered injuries after a shell exploded in Tosamaidan area that was earlier used as firing range by Army.
The district administration has issued advisory for the local people not to touch or fiddle with any object till the fresh clean up drive was completed in the area.