Early Times Report
Pulwama, Apr 21: At least three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists on Thursday managed to escape from Sungo Narbal area of South Kashmir's Pulwama district on after some youth stoned army reinforcements at two places, delaying their arrival at the encounter site.
Police sources said jawans of 50 RR, SOG and CRPF rushed to Sungo Narbal after they received information about the presence three LeT terrorists in the area. While the forces were entering the village, the hiding terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing. Forces retaliated and asked for reinforcements. The exchange of fire between the two sides continued for about 10 minutes.
Sources said shortly after terrorists stopped firing, jawans cordoned off a vast stretch of the village and waited for the reinforcement.
Eyewitnesses said while Army and police reinforcement party reached near Hakripora, youth blocked their way and attacked their vehicles with stones. The reinforcement party was also attacked near Newa Pulwama. The intense stone-pelting on the armoured vehicles prompted forces to burst tear-smoke shells. As the people continued stoning them, forces resorted to firing in the air. As due to intense stone-pelting, reinforcements were unable to reach Sungo Narbal on time, terrorists, taking advantage of it, managed to flee from the area. A police official confirmed that locals helped terrorists to escape from the spot, a trend that he termed as 'dangerous'. Reports said that during cordon and search operation, forces later recovered two cellphones, a blanket and some eatables.
A fortnight ago also, locals had helped terrorists to escape from Lelhar village by attacking search parties with stones. |
