Militants escape, CASO called off in north Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 16 : Security forces called off Cordon and Search Operation (CASO), launched in the wee hours on Friday, in Hajin area of north Kashmir district of Bandipora after militants managed to escape, official sources said.

They said on a tip off about the presence of militants, 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and 45 CRPF launched a joint search operation at Khosa and Syed Mohalla Hajin in Bandipora district early this morning. However, when the security forces were sealing these areas, there were some firing shots, they said.

Security forces also retaliated and the exchange continued for some time. All exit points have been sealed and a massive search operation has been launched, they said.

Meanwhile, additional security forces have been deployed outside the cordoned off area to prevent any demonstration, they said.

However, there were some incidents of stone pelting in the area, they said, adding that later, during the search operation, no militant was found. It is believed that the militants had managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Later, the CASO was called off.