This Article is From Jan 31, 2010

Sopore encounter stage-managed: Protesters

Sopore: Protests have erupted in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir over an encounter between security forces and militants since Saturday evening. The encounter is over and search operations have not lead to recovery of any militant's body. But residents of the area are protesting against the security forces alleging the encounter was stage-managed and there were no militants in the area.

Police cordoned off the area after they got a tip-off on the whereabouts of two militants. One of them, suspected to be Harkat-ul-Mujahideen operative Basharat.

Exchange of fire ended around 3 am and militants reportedly hurled four grenades. Police recovered an AK 47 rifle from the house of Basharat, who is said to reside in the same locality. Basharat is Harkat-ul-Mujahideen's Divisional Commander.

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