Srinagar, Sept 02: Government forces Sunday launched a cordon and search operation in Shopian district of south Kashmir following a brief exchange of fire with militants, the police said.
Government forces were in the process of laying cordon in Imamsahib area of Shopian following information about presence of militants when the latter opened fire at them, a police official said.
He said the forces retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of fire.
“Search operations have been launched and the cordon strengthened in the area but there has been no fresh firing reported so far,” the official said.
Reports said that the militants believed to be two to three in number managed to escape following the brief shootout.
Meanwhile, at least seven persons were injured in clashes with the government forces in the area.
Soon after the news about the gunfight spread, the people of the area and its adjoining areas took to streets and pelted the forces with stones.
The police and paramilitary CRPF used tear-smoke shells and fired pellets to disperse the protesting people, officials said.
