SRINAGAR: Thousands of Indian forces cordoned off at least two dozen villages in India-held Kashmir on Thursday while they hunted for militants believed to be hiding in the area, but called off the operation after about 10 hours without finding any, police said.

They said that later some militants ambushed and shot at an army patrol as it was returning from the operation in the Shopian area. A civilian driver hired by the army was killed in the ambush and at least two soldiers were reportedly injured.Police said the operation, launched after a spate of militant attacks and anti-India protests, was the biggest in recent years in the disputed Himalayan region.

Chief of the Indian Army Gen Bipin Rawat said the operation was launched to bring the situation in Shopian under control.

`The combing operation is going on as some banks were looted and some policemen have been killed. It has been launched to ensure that the situation is brought under control. These operations are carried out regularly,` he said.

Inhis speechatthe ofhces of a think tank, Gen Rawat said the Indian army would respond to the alleged mutilation of its soldiers `like it has always done in the past`. `When such an incident happens, we also take retaliatory measures... There isnothing new [about this].

During the operation in Shopian, meanwhile, Indian soldiers, paramilitary forces and policemen searched houseto-house for militants.

Helicopters and drones hovered over the villages while ground forces stood guard at village entry points. Schools were closed early.

Villagers expressed surprise as soldiers directed them to assemble in central areas.

`We don`t know what is going on,` said Mohammed Subhan Mir, head of Darazpora village. `There are soldiers all around us, moving everywhere as if it is war.` Police said some residents resisted the search, and clashes eruptedin atleast two villages. No injuries were reported, however.

Authorities said they were trying to find militants as well as choke off support from asympathetic public. Villagers have increasingly protected the militants by hurling rocks and abuse at Indian troops when they enter their villages.

At least five civilians have been killed by government forces during such clashes this year.

Locals said the soldiers were mainly trying to frighten the residents and damaged many homes while withdrawing from the villages.

Senior police officer S.P.

Pani said the troops didn`t find any militants. `Still, it was a successful operation as we could sweep through so many villages with a bare minimum of local resistance.

Another officer who was part of the operation said the troops were lifting their siege of the Shopian villages and were shifting to the neighbouring Kulgam area.-Agencies