Indian troops launch major anti-militant operation in Kashmir

Thousands of Indian soldiers and paramilitaries have launched a huge operation against suspected militants across Indian-administrated Kashmir.

According to media reports, S P Pani, deputy inspector general of police, said on Thursday that government forces had surrounded at least 20 villages in the drive against militants across the Muslim-majority region.

"It is an unprecedented operation," the police official said, adding, "It is impossible to capture the militants, but we hope there will be contact (exchange of fire) with them in the course of the day."  

The operation was launched early Thursday in Shopian district south of the main city of Srinagar.

Meanwhile, witnesses and local residents have accused Indian troops of attacking private homes during the large-scale offensive.  

Hundreds of residents poured out into the streets in the two villages of Sug and Tarkwangan during the ongoing search operations. The angry residents clashed with Indian soldiers and threw stones at them.

"It was scary. Many houses were damaged," media outlets quoted one of the residents as saying.

Witnesses said military helicopters were hovering above the disputed valley as the search was going on. 

Indian troops are in constant clashes with militants in Kashmir seeking independence.

Suspected militants are frequently killed in shoot-outs with Indian forces across the region, but are only rarely captured alive.

The latest operation comes after five police officers were shot dead earlier this week in a raid on a bank van carrying cash. The attack took place in the village of Pumbai in Kulgam district, around 70 kilometers south of Srinagar.

SS