Srinagar: Clashes broke out in Hajin village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday soon after government forces laid a siege in the area.

Reports reaching here said that a joint team of army’s 13 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon at Mir Mohalla area of Hajin today morning.

A top police officer said that the cordon-and-search operation was launched in the village following specific inputs about the presence of some militants.

“Some gunshots were fired by militants soon after the siege was laid in the area,” he said.

Additional reinforcements of the army have been rushed to the site and the entire has been cordoned off to trace out the militants hiding in the area, he said.

As the news about the cordon and the possibility of encounter in Mir Mohalla spread, the locals mostly youth took to streets and pelted stones on the forces.

The police and paramilitary forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.

When reports last came in, the clashes amid cordon was going on.

Meanwhile, authorities suspended internet services in parts of Bandipora including Hajin in wake of the ongoing operation at Mir Mohalla. (GNS)

This post was published on August 17, 2018