Qayoom Khan
Srinagar, Jan 31 : A gunfight between militants and government forces broke out after around five hours siege at Drabgam village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday night.
Official sources told news agency that the contingents of army’s 44 RR, CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of police cordoned off Baba Mohalla of Drabgam village today at around 7:30 pm.
The forces had installed lights so as to prevent the escape of militant owing to darkness, they said.
As the forces intensified the searches, militants hiding in the area opened fire, leading to a gunfight which was going on when this report was filed, they said.
The army has already rushed more reinforcements in the area, they said.
A police officer confirmed the encounter and said that the cordon was launched following specific inputs in the village.
Earlier, as the cordon was being laid, the youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces which in turn lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse them.
Meanwhile, the internet has been suspended in Pulwama and neighbouring Shopian district of south Kashmir amid the possibility of gunfight in the area. (GNS)
