Clashes broke out in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday soon after government forces launched a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) in the area.
Reports said that a joint team of army’s 13 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon at Mir Mohalla area of Hajin today morning.
A top police officer told GNS that the cordon-and-search operation was launched in the village following specific inputs about the presence of some militants.
“Some gunshots were fired by militants soon after the siege was laid in the area,” he said.
Additional reinforcements of the army have been rushed to the site and the entire area has been cordoned off to trace out the militants hiding in the area, he said.
As the news about the cordon spread, the locals took to streets and pelted the forces with stones. The police and paramilitary forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.
Clashes were going on in the area when last reports came.
Meanwhile, authorities have suspended Internet services in parts of Bandipora including Hajin in wake of the ongoing operation at Mir Mohalla.