Pulwama CASO: Operation resumes, 2 security personnel, militant killed so far

Srinagar, Jan 23: With the first light on Thursday morning, security forces resumed Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, official sources said.

So far, a soldier and jawan of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police were killed while a soldier was injured in the encounter which ensued when security forces launched CASO at village Zantarag in Khrew in Pulwama at 1200 hrs on Tuesday.

An unidentified militant was also killed at village Nagrattan, about 2 km from Zantarag and operation was going on in the entire area when the reports last came in.
Sources said the CASO was stopped late last night due to darkness. 'However, security forces remained deployed despite sub zero temperature to foil any attempt by militants to escape,' they said.

With the first light this morning, security forces resumed search operation in the area, including in nearby forest, they said.

The CASO was launched by Rashtriya Rifles (RR), SOG and CRPF following a tip off about the presence of militants at village Zantarag, Khrew which is surrounded by Dachigam and Tral forests. Residents of the area were taken to safer places after encounter ensued between militants and security forces.

They said in the initial firing a SOG jawan was killed and two soldiers injured on Tuesday.

However, militants, who had managed to escape from the area, were again trapped at Nagrattan, about 2 km from Zantarag and yesterday, a militant was killed by the security forces.
The body of the militant and some arms and ammunition has been recovered, they said.
The slain militant is yet to be identified.