India launches massive operation in IOK's Pulwama district

Troops cordon off areas, launch door-to-door searches

SRINAGAR/ ISLAMABAD: Indian occupation forces have launched a massive cordon and search operation in Pulwama district of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) on Saturday.

According to the Kashmir Media Service, Indian troops on Saturday cordoned off the villages of Lassipora, Armula, Alaipora, Batnur, Garbug, Naupora Payeen, Hajdarpora and Acchan and launched door-to-door searches, causing huge inconvenience to local residents.

The operation was launched following the killing of three Indian policemen in Shopian district of south Kashmir the other day.



The bodies of the policemen were recovered on Friday, police said, as tensions mount ahead of local civic polls.

Three Special Police Officers (SPOs) were abducted, as well as the brother of a police constable, police and witnesses said.

“The bullet-riddled bodies of the SPOs were found lying in the fields,” a police officer told AFP, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The brother of the constable was released unharmed.

The SPOs are lowest-rank police officers often deployed for counter-insurgency duties. Authorities recently advised officers not to visit their homes without security and not for more than two hours at a stretch.