JK: Gun-battle ends, militants manage to escape

The gun-fight between security forces and militants in north Kashmir's Sopore town in Baramulla district ended on Sunday after the holed up militants managed to escape the tight security cordon.

Security forces had surrounded a house in the new colony area, following specific information about the presence of militants, including a top commander of a militant outfit, inside it.

"As the security forces asked the holed up militants to surrender, they hurled grenades at them. The security forces returned the fire, triggering a gunfight that ended late today morning," a senior police officer said.

However, the holed up militants managed to escape during the night, said the police. A house was gutted during the encounter.

"One AK-47, two grenades and a laptop were recovered during searches," said a police officer.

As the security forces withdrew from the area, protests erupted in the town, prompting the police to fire warning shots in the air and use baton charges.

The protestors alleged that security forces had torched the house in the town.