Srinagar, Oct 11 (UNI) A fierce encounter ensued between the militants and security forces during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the frontier district of Kupwara on Thursday, official sources said.
Meanwhile, district authorities suspended mobile internet service besides ordering the suspension of class work in educational institutions as a precautionary measure in Kupwara.
Acting on a tip off about the presence of militants, troops of Army, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and the CRPF launched a joint search operation in village Shatgund Handwara in north Kashmir district of Kupwara at 0230 hours.
All exit points were sealed in order to prevent the militants from escaping from the area, they said, adding that when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village on Thursday morning, militants hiding there opened fire with automatic weapons. The security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.
Sources said that about two to three militants are holed up in the area.
They said the operation was going on when the reports last came in.
Meanwhile, security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the demonstrators who were trying to disrupt the operation against the holed up militants.
UNI BAS QAB YK 1223