Papchan Masjid under siege






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Police says militants holed up, locals deny MIR TARIQ Policemen and troopers cordoned off Jamia Masjid at Papchan here in north Kashmir on Monday morning claiming that militants are holed up there. According to the eyewitnesses policemen, troopers of 57 Rashtriya Riffles and 10 Para laid a siege around Jamia Masjid Papchan this morning. “ Police recovered four grenades and an IED in the school near the spot along with some empty dextrose bottles,”
police sources said, adding. “The dextrose bottles were being used to provide medication to an injured militant who along with his companions has taken refuge in the Masjid.” However, locals denounced the police claim. “We offered prayers in the Masjid this morning. We didn’t find anyone there. Police and Army have unnecessarily cordoned off the area,” said a villager. The village head told Rising Kashmir, “I was told to enter the Masjid and see who is hiding there. I went inside but couldn’t find anyone there.” “The joint search party fired continuously towards the Masjid for three hours in the afternoon but there was no retaliation from the other side,” the witnesses said, adding, water cannons were also used to bring out the militants who according to the police have taken refuge inside the Masjid. Later troops fired ten grenades by UBGL towards the Masjid damaging the front wall. “Civil administration should remain present during the night here as we feel insecure amongst the Army” said an elderly person wishing not to be named, fearing reprisal. When contacted Magistrate Bandipora Abdul Rashid Khan told Rising Kashmir “District Administration has deputed a team of civil administrators in the area who will keep an eye on the troopers.” Meanwhile a police spokesman said that in a joint operation, Police and troops have trapped militants inside a Masjid at Papchan. “Police received specific information regarding the presence of militants at Papchan in Bandipora on which a joint operation was launched by police, 57RR and 92 battalion CRPF. As the police zeroed in onto the target area, militants, believed to be two in number, opened indiscriminate fire on the Police party and took shelter inside a local Masjid,” the spokesman said, adding, “Police has established a cordon around the Masjid and efforts are on to nab the militants. However utmost restrain in being exercised by Police and troops to maintain sanctity of the Masjid.”