1500 students, 2000 civilians rescued in Kashmir gun-battle

Srinagar, Oct 12 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Police tonight claimed to have rescued about 1500 students and 2000 civilians caught in a gunfight between militants and security forces in Pulwama district.

Giving details of the encounter, in-charge Superintendent of Police Pulwama, Imtiyaz Ahmad, said police laid a cordon at the Alyalpora market in Shopian town following a tip off regarding presence of militants in the house of an advocate, Abdul Hai.

He said militants have taken refuge in Mr Hai's house which is adjacent to the Green Valley Higher Secondary School. The Zonal Education Officer was also operating from the house.

Maintainting utmost restraint to prevent any civilian loss, the SP said police first evacuated about 1500 students of the school.

During the rescue operation, about 2000 civilians have been evacuated from the market so far, he said, adding militants tried to flee taking cover of civilians, but the attempt was thwarted.

In the gun-battle, the SP said one militant was wounded. However.

sources said the militant later succumbed to wounds.

The SP said two holed-up militants belonged to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). He said reinforcements have been rushed to the area from nearby security camps.

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