Mudasir Maqbool
Shopian: A fresh firefight amid clashes have started between government forces and militants at Heffshirmal village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday.
Reports said youth from Heffshirmal and neighbouring villages took to streets despite rains and started pelting stones on government forces.
The government forces retaliated by firing tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesting youth who are trying to march towards gunfight site, reports said.
The gunfight ensued after a joint team of army’s 44RR and Para troops along with SOG of Police launched a joint search operation in the village following input about presence of some militants.
As the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot, officials said, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter. There was lull after initial firing following which government forces strengthened the cordon and rushed reinforcements to the village. The gunfight resumed after a brief exchange of fire and was going on when this report was filed, officials said.
Meanwhile mobile Internet services including 2G, 3G, and 4G have been snapped in entire district.
