Militants manage to escape as combing operation continues in Kashmir’s Shopian

Nearly 4,000 personnel from the army, paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police took part in the search in 20 villages of Shopian even as the militants who ambushed a vehicle on Thursday managed to escape.

The massive combing operation by security forces in Kashmir’s Shopian district continued for the second day on Friday to track down the militants behind the recent attacks on policemen and political activists besides bank robberies.

Army personnel take position during a search operation at a village in Shopian district in Kashmir. (PTI)

Nearly 4,000 personnel from the army, paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police took part in the search in 20 villages of Shopian even as the militants who ambushed a vehicle on Thursday managed to escape. Three soldiers were injured and their civilian driver killed.

Army personnal during a search operation in Shopian district of Kashmir on Thursday. (PTI)

“The exchange of fire occurred between a returning column in the Imam Sahib area on Thursday evening. The operation against terrorists is underway,” army spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said.

Nazir Ahmad, who was driving the solders in a private vehicle, succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Army personnel stand guard during a search at a village in Shopian district in Kashmir. (PTI)