Shopian CASO ends after terrorists give SFs a slip

SRINAGAR: The Security forces called off Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on Thursday morning after holed up terrorists escaped in south Kashmir district of Shopian.

Official sources said a CASO operation was launched at Turkwangam, Shopian, on Wednesday following a tip-off about the presence of terrorists.

Later, an encounter ensued between terrorists and security forces when the area was being sealed.

Two houses were damaged in the encounter, they said, adding that later no terrorist was found when security forces conducted searches.

The security forces were withdrawn from the area after terrorists fled under the cover of darkness.

Security sources said top terrorist commander Saddam Paddar was among the holedup terrorists. One youth was killed while four others were injured, one critically, as a mob pelted stones on security forces who were engaged in an encounter with terrorists in Shopian district, leading to clashes yesterday.

Meanwhile, gunshots were heard in Drangbal village of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday during a search operation launched by security forces.

Sources told that several gunshots were heard at Drangbal village after security forces laid a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the area.

They said that the area was cordoned off by government forces after specific inputs about the presence of terrorists.

Besides, the state Police today detained a man for allegedly spreading rumours about two youths joining militancy in Baramulla district. "Rumours being spread on social media networks about two boys of Palhallan Pattan joining militant ranks are completely wrong," a police spokesman said.

He said such rumours were strongly rebutted and people were requested not to pay attention to them.

The spokesman said that those spreading rumours about Palhallan youths have been identified and as of now one such person has been detained.