Government forces on Friday evening launched a cordon-and-search operation in Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo’s village, Beighpora, Awantipora in Pulwama district.
Local residents said under search lights, the forces used a JCB to dig a plot of land near Jamia Masjid Beighpora.
A police official said they had inputs about the existence of Naikoo’s hiding place in the village.
A clash between forces and locals also occurred during the operation that was on when this report was filed.