Mudasir Maqbool
Shopian: A fierce gunfight between militants and government forces is underway at Ratnipora village in this south Kashmir district, official sources said on Friday.
They said that the encounter ensued government forces launched a joint cordon-and-search-operation in the village early today.
After initial gunfight, there was a lull for several hours before it resumed again. The fierce firefight was going on when this report was filed, sources said.
Earlier, the joint team of 34 Army, CRPF and J&K police’s SOG launched the CASO after receiving specific input about presence of militants in the Village.
There was initial exchange of fire taken at 3:00 a.m., they said, adding, thereafter there was lull during which reinforcement of forces were rushed to the area and cordon was tightened.
However, sources said, after hours of searches, “a fresh contact was established leading to a fierce firing which was going on both sides.” A police official while confirming the gunfight said that two to three militants are believed there.
Meanwhile internet services have been snapped in the district as a “precautionary measure”.
More details are awaited.
