J-K: Locals clash with security forces amid anti-terror operations

Several locals on Thursday were seen attempting to obstruct the anti-terror operation launched in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district by security forces earlier today.

The locals majorly comprised girls and students and were seen hurling stones which resulted in clashes. Several civilians also sustained injuries as security forces resorted to tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that the recent combing operations have been launched to control the sudden spurt of untoward incidents in the Valley.

'Today's combing operation in Kashmir is to make sure that situation is brought under control post recent incidents. Banks have been looted, policemen have been killed. That is why today's combing operation is taking place. We are taking measures, have beefed up our counter-infiltration posture to take care of the situation,' Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said.

Almost two dozen villages in Shopian were cordoned off, as the Indian Army along with other security forces launched a massive anti-terror operation earlier today.

The search operations come in the wake of a surge in militancy-related incidents in the past few days. Suspected terrorists barged into a police post guarding the court complex of southern Shopian late on Tuesday night, and decamped with five service rifles.

The terrorists decamped along with five service rifles including four INSAS rifles and an AK-47 rifle.

Earlier, following the two bank robberies that took place in Pulwama on Wednesday, Pulwama Superintendant of Police Rayees Mohammed Bhat revealed that preliminary investigation has established the involvement of the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

'Until now, we have identified one militant each from Padgampora and Khagpura, which proves Lashkar's involvement in the incident,' he said.

'It is clear that militant organisations like these are short of cash. We have also seen that they now carry more advanced technological gadgets. We are continuing the investigation,' he added.

The gunmen looted two banks, in separate incidents, in South Kashmir's Pulwama district, within few hours. Bank robberies and weapon snatching incidents have been on the rise in the Valley recently, triggering an alert.

-ANI