J-K: Army cordons off villages, search ops underway

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 17 (ANI): The Indian Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) are conducting search operations in Shopian's two villages - Heff and Shirmal. Around 1,000 army personnel and police force have been deployed for the operation, which began at midnight yesterday. Meanwhile, repetitive ceasefire violations by Pakistan still continue, wherein yesterday itself the Pakistan Army initiated ceasefire violation in Balakot sector here. The Indian troops gave a befitting reply to Islamabad's attack. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Army, earlier on Sunday, instigated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars along the Line of Control (LoC) in Chiti Bakri area of Rajouri sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army also retaliated to the unprovoked act strongly and effectively. At least two civilians including a minor girl were killed and nine people, including four soldiers were injured in the unprovoked firing by Pakistan in Rajouri district. Earlier on Saturday, two civilians were killed as Pakistan Army continued its unprovoked firing in state's Nowshera sector. Later in the day, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat will on Wednesday review the security situation and take stock of counter-terror operations in the Valley, which has been rocked with soaring turbulence recently besides the steady stream of ceasefire violations. Jaitley is visiting Srinagar today and the Army Chief is already in the valley. The visit comes in the wake of beheading of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army in Poonch district earlier this month which was termed "barbaric" by India. (ANI)