Srinagar, Oct 27: At least 50 people, including a woman, were injured during clashes that broke out between government forces and the protesters during cordon-and-search-operations at two different places in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Kulgam districts on Saturday.
A police official said that joint teams of army, CRPF and SOG men cordoned off Dreed Kalipora (DK Pora) village following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
While a door to door search operation was in progress, scores of residents came out of their homes and pelted stones and bricks on the government forces, the official said.
He said that the forces responded by firing tear-smoke and pellets, causing injuries to as many as 30 persons, including a middle-aged woman.
Three persons with eye injuries, including the woman, according to BMO Shopian, have been shifted to District Hospital Shopian from where they were sent to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for advanced treatment.
The search operation was called off after no militant was found in the area, added the official.
In a separate incident, at least 11 youth were injured in clashes in Ghat Khudwani area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district during a search operation.
Reports said that 11 youth sustained pellet injuries in the clashes with the forces.
The injured were shifted Sub-district Hospital Qaimoh from where one with eye injury was referred to District Hospital Anantnag for specialised treatment.
Reports said that the search operation is on despite the clashes between the protesters and the forces.
An official said that three militants are believed to be hiding in the area. “Searches are underway,” he said, adding that reinforcements have been rushed to the area to prevent militants from escaping.
So far, no contact has been established with the militants, he said.
Further details are awaited.
