Srinagar encounter: Firing going on intermittently

Militants hiding in a building, Cordon layers tightened, lights installed, Ops to remain on a halt for night, entry exit points sealed, traffic diverted from alternate route, says security officials

Abid Bashir

Srinagar, Dec 29 (KNO): The encounter that raged between militants at Lawaypora area of Srinagar outskirts is underway as the firing between the two sides is going on intermittently while as cordon layers have been tightened around the area to prevent militants from fleeing.

A top security official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that on a specific input about the presence of militants in Lawaypora, after which police, army’s 2 RR and CRPF laid a cordon. “As forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, they fired at the forces triggering a fierce gunfight,” he said, wishing anonymity.

 The official said that given the darkness, the operation is being conducted “deliberately.” “Firing is going on intermittently. The militants are believed to be two in number who took refuge in a nearby concrete building and are firing intermittently at the forces,” he said.

Another security official said that the cordon layers in and around the area have been tightened and all entry and exit points have been sealed with additional reinforcements of security forces being deployed in the area to prevent militants from fleeing.  

“Lights have been installed and security forces are maintaining calm to avoid any collateral damage in the area,” the official said.

Meanwhile, since the encounter has affected the traffic on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, the vehicles coming from Baramulla, Sopore, Gulmarg, towards Srinagar are diverted via Magam-Budgam towards Srinagar and vice-versa. “Inconvenience caused to the commuters is deeply regretted,” an official said—(KNO)