Reports said the holed-up militants managed to escape while the security forces were dealing with the protesters in Kulgam district.
(File Photo: IANS)
A civilian was killed and over 20 protesters were injured in clashes with security forces in Pinjora village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday,
The clashes erupted when an operation against militants was going on, police sources said.
The sources said that to control the mob, the security forces used tear smoke and pellets. But locals claimed that live ammunition was also used by the security forces.
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A civilian, Sajad Ahmad Parray, belonging to Badrahama village of Shopian district died during the protests after sustaining a gunshot injury, locals said.
In another incident, more than 50 civilian protesters were injured in clashes with security forces near the site of a gunfight with militants in Kulgam district.
As soon as the firing exchanges started between the security forces and the holed-up militants in Tazipora (Mohammadpora) village, dozens of protesters pelted stones at the security personnel, said police sources.
“Over 50 protesters were injured in the clashes as the security forces used tear smoke and pellet gunshots to disperse the unruly mob,” an official said.
Reports said the militants managed to escape while the forces were dealing with the protesters.
“The house was blown up but the militants escaped in the confusion. No dead bodies were found in the debris,” a top police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Six of the injured people had sustained grievous injuries and four of them were referred to Srinagar, said a doctor at the Kulgam Hospital.
A cowshed and an adjoining structure were destroyed during the gunfight.
Security forces including the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operations Group (SOG) of state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had surrounded the village following information that militants were hiding there.
The militants fired at the soldiers, triggering the encounter.
(With agency inputs)
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