First crossfire since Article 370 revoked in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: For the first time since the Centre abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, security forces on Monday spotted a group of armed terrorists in Pulwama, which led to a brief exchange of fire even as the Kashmir Valley observed a muted Id-uz-zuha with stringent restrictions in place and a curfew-like situation prevailing since morning.

Two minor incidents of stone-pelting were also reported but the security forces soon dispersed the stone-pelters. By and large, day eight of the lockdown in the Valley passed off peacefully while security forces are now planning strategies for August 14 and August 15, the Independence days of Pakistan and India respectively.

“We made a contact with terrorists in Pulwama on Monday and there was a brief exchange of fire. But it could not materialise into an operation,” Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told Deccan Chronicle in an exclusive chat.

He said that Id had passed off peacefully and there were only two very minor incidents of stone pelting at Bemina and Natipora.

“People cooperated with us, which ensured peace,” the police chief said at the end of what was a tense day for the security forces.

Fears of attacks by terrorists, who are desperate to strike has been present since day one of the lockdown of the valley. Today, as per specific intelligence received by the agencies, it was expected that both stone pelting and terror strike could happen simultaneously. But the presence of large number of forces on the ground and with communication like phones and internet completely cut off, nothing untoward could happen.

 The already dampened Id celebrations in the valley due to a virtual lockdown since August 5 ended on a frustrating note for the locals.