Intense clashes erupted in Rohmoo area of Pulwama district in South Kashmir on Wednesday after government forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO), leaving a dozen protesters injured.
Acting on an input about the presence of militants, contingents of SOG Pulwama, SOG Newa, Army’s 53 RR and 182-183 battalion CRPF arrived in New Colony, Rohmoo on Monday afternoon and started cordon and search operation, sources told. As the searches began, locals in large numbers came out of their houses and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on government forces, who retaliated by firing pellets and teargas canisters.
Eyewitnesses told that due to forces’ pellets, there were injuries to at least 12 protesters. However locals said that the injury toll to protesters was 18. The intense clashes between protesters and forces men continued for areas and the number of protesting residents swelled with each passing time. Due to intense clashes, the CASO was severely disrupted and was finally called off after four hours.
However, the locals informed that the forces this evening again launched CASO at New Colony, Rohmoo. Reports said that the forces during second CASO could not find any militant in the area and there wasn’t any exchange of fire so far as well. (GNS)