Message Board

Is US using the Kashmir issue to try and get a permanent foothold in South Asia? Post your views

Jammu: A group of heavily armed Pakistani militants on June 18 held hostage a family of surrendered militant, including three children, and were using them as human shields during an anti-insurgency operation in Poonch border district in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

The ultras, who escaped a security cordon during an anti-insurgency operation launched by troops in Khanetar forest belt, were being chased by troops when they entered the house of a surrendered militant and took the family members hostage on June 18 morning, sources said.

The sources said the militants were using the children as human shields, forcing the troops to stop firing on the house fearing human casualties, the sources said.

However, cordon operation by Army and police is on, the sources said, and troops were making efforts to rescue the hostages.

PTI