Pulwama : Government Forces arrested at least five persons during nocturnal search operation while locals alleged they were thrashed and their properties were vandalized. "It was a Hell like situation. During the 4 hours long Cordon and Search Operation people were treated like cattle.
They were beaten up at will," said locals of Karimabad village of South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The Cordon and Search Operation as per locals started from 3 of Saturday morning and it culminated at 7 a.m.
The villagers said 5 youth were picked up while the family members of slain Hizb militant Naseer Pandit were targeted and thrashed as well. They said people were targeted in response to the previous incident when youth confronted army Patrolling Party and attacked it when they tried to enter the village.
An official denied of any excesses committed on people during search operation. "Search operation was conducted to nab stone throwers and militants. People were not touched," he added.