Massive searches in Sopore forests

Fayaz Bukhari

Srinagar, Aug 23: Army today conducted massive searches in Sopore forests in North Kashmir against Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants after a brief gun battle with them last night.
Militants last night gave give slip to the Army during a cordon and search operation at Gugerpati in Zaloora area in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Army’s 47 RR had launched a search operation at Gugerpati area of Zaloora in Sopore last evening after reports that a group of 4-5 militants of LeT are hiding in the area. As the patrolling party reached near the Gugerpati forests, there was a brief exchange of fire between militants and Army. Army recovered one AK-47 rifle from the spot and later busted a hideout recovering ration and other material of the militants.
The search operation in the area is still going on and reinforcement was brought and large portion of the forest area was cordoned off and massive searches are going on.
Army’s 18 and 28 RR cordoned off the forest area in Lolab that connects Vilgam-Zaloora forest while as Army’s 30 RR and 27 RR cordoned off the forest area including Yemberzalwari that connects Bandipora. And Army’s 22 RR launched the search operation in several forest areas that connects Sopore.
In the meantime, 45 RR of Army recovered large quantity of arms and ammunition during a search operation at Indra Behak in Machil sector of Kupwara district today.
The recovered arms and ammunition include two AK 56 rifles, two AK 56 magazines, 38 AK 56 rounds, one pistol chinese, one pistol Pakistani, two pistol magazines, six pistol rounds , one UBGL, 12 UBGL grenades, 36 hand grenades, one GPS, pouches and First Aid.
Police also recovered a UBGL recovered from Sopore this afternoon. The explosive device was later defused by the Police.
Militants last night barged into the house of a female Special Police Officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and fired upon her indiscriminately in Nowpora Arwani area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Sources said that two gunmen barged into the SPO’s house posted at Awantipora Police Lines and fired upon her. The SPO received two bullets, one at her shoulder and another at her arm and was shifted to SKIMS, Soura hospital for treatment.

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