Srinagar: Presence of civilians in the building where two militants have taken refuge after an abortive bid to storm Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's residence on October 17 was hampering security forces' operation to flush out the ultras, who opened heavy fire on approaching forces.

Police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have evacuated 14 civilians from the multi-storied shopping complex where the militants are hiding and other adjoining buildings at Maulana Azad road, but seven were still trapped in the building, official sources said.

The rescue operation was temporarily halted in view of intense firing by militants, they said.

Security forces have laid a cordon around the building.

The intermittent blasts and firing caused panic among the people, the sources said, adding that in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas, shopkeepers pulled down shutters and left for their homes as police set up road blockades at various places and stepped up patrolling.

PTI