Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: Army today launched massive search operation in several villages near North Kashmir’s Sopore forests after apprehensions that some of the militants might have fled to nearby villages after their hideout was busted yesterday.
The operation that was launched by Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police and 27-Rashtriya Rifles yesterday after they received information about a group of militants hiding in the Cherhar forests of Sopore. The operation was extended to nearby villages of Marbel, Chirhar, Hard Shiva, Yemberzal, Rishipora, Rampur and Rajpur of Cherhar forests.
The movement of the people from and to these villages was not allowed by the security forces as they have reports that some of the militants might have fled to these villages after their forest hideout was busted yesterday.
Sources said that Army reinforcement belonging to 14, 22 and 30 RR was rushed to the area to assist the troops who had initially cordoned off the area. Army commandos of 5 PARA were also part of the operation.
The area is sound bound and security forces are battling snow and sub-zero temperatures during the operation.
Army and SOG also fired in Harbang Nallah of Hard Shiva forest area after they found some movement there, but sources say that there was no return fire from militant. Sources, however, said that the security forces believe that at least two militants are hiding in the Nallah.
Security forces during the searches busted a militant hideout and recovered large quantity of eatables, utensils and blankets yesterday and they believe after the busting of the hideout militants might have shifted to nearby villages.
In the meantime, security forces today averted a major tragedy as they detected an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants by the roadside in Baramulla district of Kashmir.
Police said a foot patrol of security forces detected a tin canister containing an IED at Janbazpora in Baramulla district this morning.
A bomb disposal squad was called in which detonated the IED without causing any damage. The IED was planted by militants by the roadside to target the security forces vehicles passing through the area.
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