June 09 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, people staged forceful demonstrations in Pahalgam area of Islamabad district, forcing Indian troops and police personnel to call off a cordon and search operation.
Indian forces’ personnel launched a siege and search operation at Wularhama in Pahalgam on the pretext of presence of mujahideen in the area. However, people staged forceful demonstrations in the area and pelted stones on the forces. Indian police and troops used brute force to disperse the protesters. However, stiff resistance shown by the demonstrators compelled the forces’ personnel to call off the operation.
Witnesses told mediamen that as the word about mujahideen being holed up in the village spread, people raised an alarm and made announcements through the loudspeakers of the mosques. “In no time, people including women hit the streets and clashed with forces. The forces first lobbed numerous teargas shells but as people refused to relent, they resorted to heavy aerial firing. Protesters offered stiff resistance, forcing the police and troops to call off the operation,” they added.
People in Danchnipora area of Pahalgam and Bijbehara said that Indian troops and police later harassed the locals. “The forces carried out frisking of people. The passengers were bought down from vehicles and asked to walk several meters on foot,” residents of Kanelawn village of Bijbehara said.
It is to mention here that Indian forces have been of late facing tough time while carrying out siege and search operations particularly in south Kashmir where people have been coming out to resist such actions.
