Pulwama: At least five youths were arrested by government forces during nocturnal search operation at Karimabad village in this south Kashmir district.
Locals said youths were picked up during last night. They identified them as Babar Ahmad Pandit who is the brother of slain cop turned militant Naseer Pandit, Zubair Geelani, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Rafi Abdullah, and Mehraj Din Sheikh.
“We were severely thrashed,” said the family of Babar Pandit.
Locals told INS that the raids and arrests were conducted in vengeance to the previous incident when army patrolling party was entering the village and youths threw stones on them.
Forces harassed and targeted almost everyone who came in their way, the locals alleged.
When contacted, an official denied that local population was harassed. He said the search was launched to nab militants as well as stone pelters.
“No civilian was harassed or beaten,” the officer told INS.
