Srinagar: Scores of civilians were reported hurt as government forces cordoned off Heff and Shermal villages of Shopian district today during which massive clashes raged between search parties and local residents.
According to police, the operation began during the intervening night of May 16 and 17 and “after successful completion of searches with the cooperation of villagers, the operation concluded as planned this morning”. However reports from the twin villages said that locals hampered the operation by resorting to heavy stone-pelting and raised pro-Azadi slogans.
Police retaliated by heavy teargas shelling and also used pellet guns, causing injuries to scores of person, reports added. The reports further said that the locals also pelted stones on army soldiers. As many as 1000 forces men were involved in the operation, said the reports.
Locals, according to reports, alleged that government forces beat dozens of inmates and vandalized property. They said that family members of two local militants were also beaten to pulp and their belongings were vandalized. Reports further added that the cell phones of militant Saddam Padder’s family members were snatched by forces.
However, DIG South Kashmir Range SP Pani denied all these allegations and reports and said they are baseless. “It is clarified that the reports of ransacking and beating of people by the news portals are not based on facts. The DIG South Kashmir Sh. S.P Pani has said that there were no injuries to any person,” a police statement issued today said.
Meanwhile, government forces also cordoned off Seer village of Tral after receiving an input about the presence of some militants. Reports said locals came out of their houses and pelted stones on forces men. The operation was going on when reports last came in. A similar operation was launched at Mehmoodpora village of Kulgam district. (GNS)
