Army soldier, 2 civilians killed in crossfire at Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district

Two civilians were killed and at least 35 others were injured near the site of an encounter between security forces and militants at Khudwani area of South Kashmir's Kulgam district today.

A doctor at Qoimoh hospital said that 16-year-old civilian Bilal Ahmad Tantray of Qoimoh was brought dead with bullet injuries on the right side of his chest.

The doctor added that the hospital received 30 injured persons having bullets, pellets and other injuries due to teargas shells.

Earlier, a 28-year-old civilian, Sharjeel Ahmad Sheikh, son of Abdul Hameed of Khudwani, was killed near the encounter site.

While the police said that Sharjeel was killed in the crossfire, investigation is underway to ascertain how Bilal died.

An Army jawan was, too, killed in the encounter at Wani Mohall area of Khudwani. The encounter started late on Tuesday night.

A joint team force of the Army and the CRPF launched a cordon in the area following inputs about the presence of a few militants.

Protests broke out near the site of the encounter after Sharjeel, a protester, succumbed to a bullet injury.

Schools and colleges in Kulgam have been shut and internet has been suspended.

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