Exchange of fire with ultras in Bandipore, search ops underway

The security forces on Saturday launched a massive search operation in north Kashmir after an exchange of fire took place between militants and security forces in Bandipore. Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said that late on Friday night, the troops observed suspicious movement in Pannar area of Bandipore.

“On being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and escaped into the jungle,” the Army said.

According to sources, soon after the incident, additional reinforcement was rushed to the spot and a search operation was launched.

On Saturday morning, the search operation was conducted in the nearby forest. “The terrorists fled into the nearby forests… the search operation is underway to hunt down the terrorists,” said an official.

The exchange of fire between the Army and militants took place shortly after two non-local workers were shot at and injured in a militant attack in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

In the past two weeks, there has been a sudden surge in militant attacks in the Valley, especially on non-local workers. With a surge in attacks recently, security has already been tightened across the Valley. J&K’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, in a security review meeting had asked J-K Police officials to “ensure stringent measures to tighten the security grid around key infrastructure projects and construction camps for safety of workers.”