Militants escape after breaking cordon at Palhalan
Srinagar: Two militants managed to escape from the encounter site in north Kashmir’s Palhalan village in the wee hours of Friday, police said.
According to reports, the militants opened fire on a search party of the security forces in Tantarypora area of Palhalan village after they were trapped in a cordon laid by forces.
Police said that the militants managed to escape the cordon taking advantage of the darkness.
“Information about presence of militants in Tantaraypora Palhalan was received and accordingly a joint operation was launched in the area. While the cordon was being established and civilians being evacuated from the area, militants fired indiscriminately and managed to escape taking advantage of darkness,” a police statement said.
The search operation was carried out jointly by a team of the Army’s 29 Rashtriya Rifles, the police’s Special Operation Group and 53 Battalion of the CRPF.
Meanwhile, according to the reports, scores of youth took to streets and clashed with government forces soon after the news about the gunfight spread in the area. The police and para-military CRPF used teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
Reports said that scores of youth were injured in clashes. They added that the government forces fired tear gas shells and pellets during which many civilians were injured.
A 23-year-old youth was hit by pellets in his eyes when forces opened fire on demonstrators in the village.
“At least seven persons were hit by pellets during the demonstration,” an eyewitness said.
KV Correspondent
