Major search operation in Jammu and Kashmir; Security forces cordon off more than 20 villages in Shopian

Srinagar: Concerned with the spate of terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces on Thursday cordoned off more than 20 villages of Shopian district, in order to carry out search operation.

The massive search operation has been jointly initiated by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state Police.

"It is a regular operation. Every day we do it. There is nothing new. There has been bank loots and policemen have been killed. It is just to make sure that the situation is brought under control," Gen Rawat told reporters on the sidelines of an Army function.

Ever since the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) and inflicted significant casualties on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the terrorists with Pakistan backing, have desperately tried to launch attacks in the the Valley.

According to the government, 193 terrorist incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir between April 1 and September 30, 2016.

411 incidents of stone-pelting reported from October 2016 to March 2017.

In 2017, four terrorist attacks took place along the India-Pakistan border till March in which three civilians were killed.

Recently, the Valley has been witnessing protests by students against alleged police excesses where even girls, for the first time in recent memory, were seen pelting stones at security personnel.

Massive protests erupted in Kashmir after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in July last year which continued for nearly four months.

A total of 2,580 CRPF personnel have been injured in over 200 violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last July.