Panic gripped city centre Lal Chowk on Thursday after government forces cordoned off Court Road and Bund areas following inputs about the presence of militants.Police sources confirmed to CNS that local police assisted by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) suddenly appeared at Court Road and cordoned off the entire area including Bund and started hunt for militants suspected to be hiding in the same area.Sources said police searched some hotels and guest houses there while pedestrians were also frisked and let off only after checking their identity cards.However some hoteliers at Court Road expressed regrets about the search operation saying the move created panic among tourists stayed in hotels and guest houses.They claimed that the abrupt cordon of area by police created fear among lodgers who are now reluctant to stay anymore.Meanwhile, a top police official said that no search and cordon operation was launched in the city centre. (CNS)