Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 5: A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed in a gun battle that raged at Gudoora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district this afternoon while 10 persons have been injured in stone-throwing clashes in the area and four militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) have been trapped by security forces in North Kashmir’s Dardpora forests.
The gun battle started after Army’s 55 RR, Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) cordoned off Gudoora village following specific information about the presence of 2-3 militants in the area.
Militants opened fire on security forces during cordon and search operation leading to a gun battle which lasted for several hours. One local militant of Hizbul Mujahideen identified as Bilal Ahmad Bhat of Kareemabad Pulwama was killed in the gun battle.
Security forces have suspended the operation for the night but sources said that the two other militants managed to escape during initial firing. They have intensified the cordon as they believed that at least one militant was still hiding in the village.
To help militants from fleeing the cordon, hundreds of people clashed with security forces near encounter spot and other areas in Gudoora during the operation. People tried to march towards the encounter spot in order to facilitate fleeing of trapped militants.
However, the additional contingents of police and CRPF intercepted them triggering clashes. Protesters also clashed with security forces at Kakapora, Kareemabad and Murran Chowk in which 10 persons were injured.
In the meantime, four militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba have been trapped by security forces in Dardpora forest area of Lolab in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Army’s 28 RR and police cordoned off forest area near Jindyal hamlet in Dardpora area of Loalab in Kupwara this afternoon. Militants opened fire on the security forces but managed to escape. More troops were rushed and they have been trapped in dense forest area.
A live hand grenade was found near a nullah in Kralpora area of Kupwara district, which was later defused by Bomb Disposal Squad.
Police said that a police party noticed the suspected device in Kralpora area this morning. The BDS team was immediately informed about the device following which a team was dispatched to the spot. The grenade was recovered and defused.
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