Massive cordon and search operation is underway in in north Kashmir's Baramulla
The Army and police have launched a massive cordon and search operation in north Kashmir's Baramulla since this morning on reports that there are terrorists hiding in the old city area.
Announcements are being made on loud speakers asking people to come out of their houses. Security forces are conducting door-to-door search in the area.
Today's ops come only days after security forces had, for the first time in a decade, searched 700 houses in the city, where terrorists have struck twice in recent weeks.
Tuesday's raids were carried out after Chinese flags were spotted in large demonstrations. In searches conducted for over 12 hours, the security forces found not just Chinese and Pakistani flags, but also petrol bombs, anti-India publicity material, unauthorized cellphones and documents linked to terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
More than 40 people, suspected to have thrown stones at security forces during protests, were detained; some of them were released later after questioning.
Located a little over 55 km from Jammu and Kashmir capital Srinagar, Baramulla has been an epicentre of the violent protests in the Valley since Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in July 8 this year.
There have also been at least two major attacks by terrorists, one in August when two Army jawans and driver were killed. Earlier this month, terrorists struck the battalion headquarters of 49 Rashtriya Rifles in what was described as a "shoot and scoot" attack. A BSF jawan was killed and another was injured.
Protests have scaled down in recent days after a massive crackdown by the police led to thousands of arrests.