Indian troops on Thursday launched a “massive anti-terror operation” in India-held Kashmir’s Shopian district to root out Islamisc militants, Times of India reported.
More than 3,000 personnel of the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force and IHK police cordoned off at least two dozen villages in Shopian and began a house-to-house search to root out suspected militants, NDTV reported.
Police say troops are facing some resistance from residents and clashes have erupted in at least two villages.
The operation was launched after a series of attacks in the area, and videos surfaced showing large groups of heavily-armed men marching in the orchards of Shopian, NDTV reported.
The vast area of Shopian has emerged as a hot bed of militancy after Indian forces killed Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016.
In recent years, Kashmiris, mainly youths have clashed with Indian troops during military operations against suspected militants.
Last month, the Indian army chief warned that “tough action” would be taken against stone throwers during counterinsurgency operations. But the anti-India protests and clashes have continued.
