Gunfight on in Kashmir village, top Hizbul guerrilla believed trapped

A gunfight started on Wednesday evening between holed-up guerrillas and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, said officials. Official sources said top Hizbul commander, Burhan, is also believed to be trapped inside the cordon laid around the area.

"Security forces came under automatic gunfire from militants hiding in Gusoo village of Pulwama district this evening when they were closing on the village where intelligence inputs said two to three militants were hiding.

"A gunfight has started in the area and all escape routes have been plugged with reinforcements to ensure the militants are prevented from escaping under the cover of darkness," said a security force official.

Burhan, a local militant who is allegedly involved in a number of civilian and security force killings, is reportedly among the surrounded militants.

Following social media hype, Burhan, who is believed to be educated and belongs to a middle class family, has become a sort of youth icon for separatist armed groups to lure local youth to pick up the gun.

Reports from the area said after news about Burhan being trapped inside the cordon laid by the security forces spread to neighbouring areas, protesters from the adjacent Chewa Kalan village started pelting stones at the deployed security personnel.