3 civilians killed in Kashmir encounter

SRINAGAR: Three civilians and a militant were killed in an encounter in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday. The two civilians were killed when security forces fighting militants opened fire on a group of stonepelting protesters.

While Zahid Rashid Bhat 22, who duffered a bullet injury in his neck was declared bought dead to SMHS hospital in Srinagar, another youth Saqib Ahmad died after doctors failed to revive him even after a surgery.

By evening another injured youth Ishaq Ahmad from Srinagar’s Rangreth area also died.

SMHS medical superintendent Nazir Ahmad choudhary said two more youth undergoing operation are stable. According to unconfirmed reports an army commando also got injured during the encounter. A gun-battle between militants and security forces were on in the Chadoora area, since the wee hours of Tuesday, a police official said. An army spokesman said one militant was killed and a weapon was recovered from the encounter site. Northern Command headquarter of the army also confirmed the death on their twitter account.

Meanwhile, reports from the area indicated fresh firing in which scores have been been injured. Eyewitnesses said police fired at protesters when they were trying to march towards the encounter site. Police fired live bullets at protesters, resulting in injuries to over a dozen people.

Several civilian deaths have been reported during encounters between militants and security forces in the restive state in recent times and come against the backdrop of army chief Bipin Rawat warning people attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations. Gen Rawat had warned of “tough action” against protesters. A 15-year-old boy Amir Nazir was killed on March 10 during an encounter in Pulwama. Police said Amir was part of a mob pelting stones when a bullet hit him in the neck.