By IANS
Srinagar : Three civilians taken hostage by Hizbul Mujahideen militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district escaped their captors from a mosque under siege late Monday.
“While two civilians were allowed by the militants to move out for talks with officials, the third fled the mosque premises this evening,” a senior police official said.
Security forces Monday evening suspended their operation to flush out the three militants from the mosque at Palnu village, 80 km from here in the south Kashmir district. It will be resumed Tuesday morning.
The official said efforts were continuing to persuade the three militants hiding in the mosque to release two other civilians still being held captive by them. The militants had taken shelter in the mosque after security forces chased them Sunday afternoon.
“We have laid a tight cordon around the mosque. Our priority is to secure the release of the two civilians still held by the militants. We suspended the operation this evening and it will be resumed tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. There was a brief exchange of fire with the holed up militants today. Security forces also fired two tear-has shells inside the mosque,” the official said.
The local administration was involved in hectic efforts to secure the release of the two civilians held captive by the militants Monday.
The administration had offered food for the civilians, to which the militants agreed initially. Tension is running high in Palnu village.