End of siege, diversions on National Highway lifted

The traffic on the Pampore-Pantha chowk stretch of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was allowed to ply normally today after remaining in absolute disarray for about three days.
Traffic on the NH remained diverted from Saturday afternoon to Monday evening in the wake of the 48-hour gun battle between security forces and militants in Sempora area of Pampore near here.
Nine people, including three Army men, two CRPF personnel, three militants and a civilian, were killed in the gunfight.
Security agencies, keeping the safety of commuters in view, diverted Srinagar and Anantnag-bound traffic to different routes to avoid the actual spot of the gunfight.
The traffic today, however, was very thin in wake of a sporadic shutdown being observed in many parts along the highway, including Panthachowk, Pampore and Awantipora. Sources said public transport remained largely off the roads throughout the day.