Encounter underway in Kashmir; locals protest

Security forces were tonight locked in a gunbattle with some militants holed up in a house in a village about 30 kms from here and were simultaneously battling violent mobs which tried to march towards the encounter site, leaving at least eight people injured.
In late afternoon, security forces cordoned off Gadoora village in Pulwama district after getting specific information about presence of some militants in a house, officials said.
The hiding militants opened fire on security personnel, triggering an encounter, the officials said, adding the exchange of fire was going on when last reports were received.
Meanwhile, groups of youth staged protests and tried to march towards Gadoora village where the encounter was underway, the officials said.

Their march as thwarted, leading to clashes in which eight people were injured. While six sustained pellet injuries, two others were injured after getting hit by tear smoke shells, the officials said.
The clashes were still continuing when last reports were received.

The officials said reinforcements have been rushed to maintain a tight cordon around the village to prevent the militants from fleeing the scene.
Additional deployments were also made to deal with any law and order situation, they said.
Meanwhile, security forces were hunting for some militants who had fired at a patrol party this morning in Sheikhpura village in Kupwara district.

A brief exchange of firing took place between security forces and militants in the village, 100 kms from here, a police officer said.
He said while no casualties were reported in the brief firing, security forces were carrying out search operations in the area to track down the militants.