Three including Army soldier killed in south Kashmir encounter

New Delhi: Three persons, including an army soldier and two civilians, were killed during a gunbattle in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday morning, media reports said.

The reports said in an official statement was awaited, a J&K police official said a soldier identified as Sada Gunakara Rao succumbed to injuries. Health department officials said two civilians were dead.

The two civilians killed were identified as Sharjeel Ahmad Sheikh (late 20s) and Bilal Ahmed Tantray (16).

A police spokesperson on Wednesday said that a cordon and search operation were launched in Kulgam after input of militant presence in the Khudwani area.

“During the search operation, some gunshots were heard after which an encounter started. The gunfight is still underway,” said media reports.

As the gunbattle went on, protesters gathered and pelted stones on the security personnel to disturb the operation and clashes ensued, police officials said. Several protesters are believed to be injured.

Further details regarding the protests and the circumstances of the death of the two civilians are awaited.