Kashmir: Search operation ends in Pulwama as militants manage to flee encounter site due to stone-pelting

Security forces have called off their overnight counter-insurgency operation in J-K's Pulwama district after the suspected militants managed to flee by breaking the cordon. 

The operation was launched on Tuesday on the basis of a tip-off about the presence of militants, including Lashkar-e-Taiba's Kashmir chief Abu Dujana, in Hakripora area, a police official said. 

The militants opened fire during the operation, prompting retaliation from the forces which triggered a gunfight. However, a mob threw stones at the security personnel to disrupt the operation, which allowed the militants to flee, he said. 

"Searches were concluded this morning. There was no fresh firing as the militants seemed to have escaped from the cordon last night," the official said.

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