Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 6: Stone-throwing clashes erupted at Pinjoora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district today after security forces laid a cordon to neutralize militants suspected to be hiding in the village.
Sources said the Army and Special Operation Group (SOG) of police launched a cordon and search operation at Pinjoora after receiving “general input” about the presence of militants. As the search operation was underway, locals came out of their houses, staged protest and hurled stones on security personnel involved in counter-insurgency operation.
Acting against the stone-throwers, police retaliated by lobbing teargas shells and also chased away them through lanes. The stone-throwers, however, re-grouped and continued stone-pelting on security forces. Later, the security forces called off the operation and retreated from the village.
Meanwhile, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in Tral, Awantipora and adjoining areas against the killing of two militants including local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Aqib Molvi in an encounter. At Hyna village of Tral, thousands attended funeral prayers of Aqib. However, the situation largely remained peaceful in Tral.
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