Holed up militants escape after encounter with SF in north Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 16 : Militants holed up in a village in north Kashmir have reportedly escaped after an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir district of Baramulla on Friday, official sources said.

They said on a tip off about the presence of militants, security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint search operation in Palhalan area of Baramulla district early this morning at 0500 hrs.

However, when the security forces were sealing the area, the militants opened fire with automatic weapons, they said, adding that security forces also retaliated ensuing an encounter.

It was reported that one or two militants were holed up in a house. There was no firing from militants for the past about an hour and it is reported that they (militants) have managed to escape from the area, where people clashed with security forces.

Security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators in the area. Clashes continued in the area.

The authorities have already suspended train service between Srinagar-Badgam and Baramulla. Mobile internet service has also been suspended in Baramulla as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of rumours.