CASO in another Pulwama village triggers protests, clashes

Pulwama: After a gunfight broke out between militants and government forces in Parigam village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, soldiers from 53 Rashtriya Rifles along with Police and CRPF laid a siege around another hamlet of Pulwama and launched a search operation, triggering clashes and protest.

Quoting local sources, Kashmir News Trust (KNT) reported that youth hit the roads and pelted stones on joint forces after they launched a search operation in Astan Mohalla area of Karimabad village.

Sources added that atmosphere reverberated with slogans after some youth resorted to sloganeering using public address system of the mosque.

An official feigned ignorance about the clashes but added that the area has been cordoned off after inputs were received about the movement of militants in the village.

Pertinently, a joint team of forces including Army’s 53 RR had launched third cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) this week at another village of Astanpora, Rahmoo yesterday, following reports about the presence of some militants in the area. Even lights had been installed yesternight but the operation was called off later. KNT