Srinagar: Panic gripped Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the capital city Saturday, after government forces in full battle gear descended there in armored vehicles and cordoned off several areas following inputs about the presence of militants.
This was for the first time in years that armed forces launched combing and search operation (CASO) in the city centre.
[[{“type”:”media”,”fid”:”18607″,”view_mode”:”wysiwyg”,”instance_fields”:”override”}]]
The troops armed with RPGs and automatic weapons laid siege around the busy Court Road and Bund area in the morning, eyewitnesses said.
Troops with RPG launchers marched through the area teeming with people sparking panic, eyewitnesses said
The operation continued for about an hour during which security personnel conducted searches in several hotels, residential houses and commercial buildings of the area. The security personnel also frisked passersby and searched vehicles passing through the area.
However, no contact was established with the militants and later security forces called off the operation.
According to CRPF spokesman Rajesh Yadav the operation was launched following information that militants were present in Lal Chowk and around the Bund area.
[[{“type”:”media”,”fid”:”18567″,”view_mode”:”wysiwyg”,”instance_fields”:”override”}]]
However, the operation was called off after no contact was established with the militants, Yadav said.
Asked whether militants are present in Srinagar, he said, We have got inputs that militants are present in Srinagar and this is why we launched the CASO in Lal Chowk today.
He however refused to share details about the number of militants present in the capital city.
The CASO is one of the measures to avert militant attacks.
See Also:In Pictures; Search Operation in Lal Chowk Srinagar
Such operations have been so far confined to South Kashmir, a stronghold of militants.
CRPF spokesperson disclosed that there can be more cordon and search operations in Srinagar in coming days because these are area domination and preventive measure.
However some hoteliers at Court Road expressed regrets about the sudden search operation saying the move created panic among tourists staying in hotels and guest houses there.
Meanwhile, a top police official said that no search and cordon operation was launched in the city centre.
Inspector General of Police, Muneer Khan rejected that there was any cordon and search operation in the city centre.
-With inputs from CNS
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
