Srinagar: Ten Shopian villages were put under siege when government forces launched a cordon and search operation on Saturday.
Reports said that CASO was launched in Chakoora, Mantribug, Zaipora, Pratabpora, Takipora, Ranipora, Ratnipora, Dangam and Wangam villages by joint parties of police, Army’s 62 RR and 14th Bn of Central Reserve Police Force early morning today.
Cordon and search is a military tactic to cordon off an area and search the premises for weapons or militants. It is one of the basic counter insurgency operations. Two types of cordon and search operations are cordon and knock, and cordon and kick (or cordon and enter).\
In a cordon and knock operation, counterinsurgency forces assemble around an area to provide security (“cordon”) and then obtain permission to search the area from residents (“knock”). The occupants may be asked to leave buildings prior to the search, to avoid physical contact and conflict between the search party and the building occupants. This is called a tactical callout. A cordon and ask operation involves the assistance of local authorities. If permission is denied but the residents are thought to be friendly or neutral, counterinsurgency force leaders may decide not to search an area.
A ‘cordon and kick’ or cordon and enter operation is more forceful than cordon and knock. It is performed without obtaining permission of the occupants. It may be done because permission is not given for a cordon and knock operation; however, if resistance is expected, a cordon and kick operation may be planned from the start. The type of force used to enter the building may range from simply opening a door to using explosives.
An official said house-to-house searches have been started in the villages following specific inputs about the presence of militants there.
More details are awaited.
