Srinagar: The Indian army personnel had to retreat from a hamlet in Anantnag on Thursday after the civilian population put up resistance to search operations.
A police official from the district told the FreePressKashmir that army men – who belonged to 3 RR – resorted to aerial firing in Wularhama hamlet of Pahalgam.
“People started protests as they came to know that army was laying cordon in their village,” he said.
3 RR of Indian Army is based in Ashmuqam area of Anantnag district.
“The army men resorted to aerial firing,” he said.
A local from the area said that army men tried to launch Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in his village. “They suspected movement of militants.”
But, he said, “people came out on roads leaving no chance for the army men to de-board the vehicles who then fired several bullet shots in air and left the village.”
An elderly man from adjoing Sofipora told the FreePressKashmir that hundreds of army men surrounded Hardukathal village.
“They brought people out of their homes and searched their houses,” he said. “This spread fear in the whole area and people came out on roads holding protests.”
“The army men aboard vehicles left the village as protestors resorted to stone pelting,” the police official added. “The CASO ended.”
The CASO was launched around 10:45 am today.
“Reinforcements were called but people did not relent,” the local, wishing to remain anonymous, said.
An Anantnag based scribe who had rushed to the area to cover the incident told the FreePressKashmir over phone that cops from Jammu and Kashmir police and para-military CRPF personnel also reached the area who fired tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.
“Now the situation is calm,” he said.
However, reports reaching here said that the army personnel along with other allied forces have extended the CASO to Yanner area. “Huge reinforcements have been called,” a source said without giving further details.
Srinagar based defence spokesperson, Col Rajesh Kali, did not respond to repeated calls from the FreePressKashmir.
Meanwhile, the adjoining Shopian district is mourning the death of a college going student who was killed by forces on late Tuesday evening.
Adil Farooq Magray, a Ist year student at government run degree College in Shopian, was killed by a bullet fired by armed forces when people helped a militant to escape CASO in Ganowpora area of the district.
“Huge deployment of armed personnel has been made in town and adjoining areas,” a local shopkeeper said.
However, he added, “there is ease in movement of people.”
“Shops, educational institutions and other business establishments have been closed and area is witnessing a complete shutdown,” the shopkeeper, who concealed his identity for fear of security backlash, said.
Adil was eldest among his siblings. His father is a fruit grower.
“People have made beeline to the house of slain youth,” a youth from the area said. “There is an atmosphere of mourning around.”
PRO CRPF, Rajesh Yadav, told the FreePressKashmir that several of his troopers were injured when their vehicle turned turtle in Shopian. “The CRPF men have received minor bruises and they have been administered first aid.”
“The driver of the vehicle took sharp turn following which the vehicle turned turtle,” he added.
However, reports said that the vehicle came under stone pelting attack and the driver lost control of the vehicle and it turned upside down.
