Militants attack police in Kulgam, Anantnag; CASOs in many areas of Valley

Srinagar, November 10: Militants on Friday carried out two attacks on police in Kulgam and Anantnag districts of south Kashmir while government forces launched cordon and search operations (CASOs) at various areas in Valley.




The first attack on police occurred at Bungam village of Qazigund in Kulgam district. A police officer told news agency GNS that militants at Bungam fired upon a vehicle of police but no one was injured in the firing. He said soon after the attack, contingents of police, army and CRPF rushed to the spot and launched searches to nab the attackers. However no one was arrested during the searches and they were called off later.

The militants this evening opened fire on a police post in Main Town of Anantnag district in south Kashmir. An official while confirming the incident told GNS that militants fired upon police post Bus Stand in Anantnag Town which was retaliated ‘effectively’ by cops there. “The attack was repulsed and there was no injury or loss of life on our side,” the official said, adding that whole area has been cordoned off and searches have been launched to nab the attackers. No militant outfit claimed responsibility for these attacks.

The government forces today carried out many CASOs in north and south Kashmir districts but all of them were called off later as no militant was found. Sources told GNS that the forces conducted CASO at Hajin area of Bandipora district of north Kashmir. During the CASO, locals pelted stones on forces and hampered the operation which was later called off. Another CASO was launched at Chopan Mohalla in Lalpora area of Kupwara district but that also ended on peaceful note.

The government forces, acting on a general input, launched CASO at Kanipora in Kalaros area of Kupwara district, said the sources. During the cordon, the forces conducted searches but no militant was found and the operation was called off. A CASO was also reported from Hatmulla area of Kupwara district. In south Kashmir’s Lassipora area of Pulwama district, massive clashes erupted between locals and forces after a CASO was launched by the latter.

Reports from Lassipora said that the government forces cordoned off entire area and launched searches as they had an input about the presence of militants. However soon after the operation was launched, locals pelted stones on forces men and engaged them in clashes. The clashes continued for more than an hour and subsequently the search operation was called off. (GNS)