Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Mar 21: Gunfight broke out in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday.
Reports reaching GNS said a joint team of Army’s 13RR, CRPF and SOG launched a cordon at Mir Mohalla of Hajin.
A police officer said the operation was launched following credible inputs about the presence of some militants in the area.
As the joint team of forces approached the suspected house, the hiding militants fired upon government forces, triggering an encounter.
SSP Bandipora Rahu Malik told GNS that forces had cordoned the suspected house earlier but the operation was delayed due to evacuation of civilians near the encounter site.
A police officer said members of local Auqaf committee and a magistrate were brought to the encounter site to persuade the hiding militants to release the civilian “taken hostage by them”.
According to police sources, a girl who was taken hostage was evacuated by the joint team of forces while a minor boy is still in the house. His fate is not known so far, the official said.
As per sources, two militants are believed to be trapped in the house. (GNS)
