Massive Search Operations in Kashmir’s Shopian; Second in 2 Weeks

Around 1,000 security personnel were involved in the ops.

This is the second search operation in Shopian since 4 May. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Security forces, on 17 May, launched a cordon and search operation in south Kashmir's Shopian district, following information about the presence of militants in the area.

The operation was launched in Heff village, under Shopian’s Zainapora area, an Army official said. It reportedly involved around 1,000 security personnel. The cordon was removed a few hours later, ANI reported.

The search operation was hampered by local residents who pelted stones at security forces, a police official said. He said additional security force personnel were rushed to the area to chase away the stone-pelters. The personnel also resorted to tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

The search operation comes two weeks after a similar one was launched in Shopian district to flush out militants, though on a much larger scale,

The security forces did not find anything in the day-long search operation on 4 May – spanning nearly two dozen villages and involving more than 4,000 troops. An Army patrol was attacked, while retreating from the operations later that day. One person was killed and several security personnel were injured in the ambush.

Operations in south Kashmir have been intensified in the wake of videos of large groups of militants – in some cases as many as 30 – surfacing on social media, despite ban imposed by authorities on 22 such sites and applications. Security agencies believe that these videos were shot in south Kashmir area, especially Shopian district.

(With inputs from PTI, IANS and ANI)