Kulgam, Aug 09: Jammu and Kashmir police on Sunday said that the militants who were trapped in Shighanpora area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district managed to flee after an initial exchange of fire with security forces, taking advantage of the darkness.

Security forces including Police, Army’s 34 RR Unit and CRPF had laid a siege at Shighanpora village of Kulgam district mid night after specific inputs about the presence of militants.

A police official said that after forces zeroed in on the suspected house, the hiding militants opened fire. “However, there was no further contact with the militants even as searches were carried out throughout the day,” he said.

A police official said that during the intervening night of August 8 and 9, a specific input was received by Kulgam police about the presence of militants in the area.

“During the search operation, militants fired indiscriminately at the searching parties of forces. The troops immediately took cover and retaliated. Militants took advantage of darkness and fled from the spot,” he said—(KNO)