Massive cordon, search operation underway in J-K’s Shopian

The operation was launched following intelligence inputs about presence of militants.

Security forces on Wednesday began a massive cordon and search operation in over 12 villages in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said.

Army personnel take positions during an encounter in which three militants were killed, at Gatipora Keller in Shopian district of south Kashmir on October 9, 2017. (PTI File Photo)

Police sources said security forces including the army, paramilitary and the special operations group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police have started a massive cordon and search operation.

“The operation was launched following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in these areas,” a police officer said.

Such operations have been launched in south Kashmir areas in the past as well.

The main objective of these operations, according to informed sources, is to keep the militants on the run and force them out of densely populated villages and towns.