Firing between militants and security forces is underway (Representational)

A Special Police Officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and a civilian were killed in a suspected militant attack in North Kashmir’s Sopore district on Wednesday evening. Separately, in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district an encounter between militants and security forces was also underway.

Officials confirmed that two people died in the attack. While the civilian, a shopkeeper was identified as Omar Subhan, the Special Police officer was identified as Wajahat Hussain, a resident of Watergam. Another civilian, Showkat Ahmad also sustained minor injuries in the attack, said officials.

A health official in Sub district hospital told The Indian Express that two people were brought dead to the hospital. “The third one is receiving treatment and is stable,” said the official.

Soon after the attack, the area was cordoned and a manhunt was launched to nab the militants.

In Budgam, the security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Dooniwara area, following information about the presence of militants there, a police official told PTI.  He said during the searches, the militants hiding in a house opened fire that was retaliated by the security forces.

“The exchange of fire was going on till last reports came in,” the official said, adding that there were no casualties reported so far.

Earlier in the day, the J&K administration removed restrictions from social media usage across the Union Territory, almost seven months after a communication clampdown on the eve of the Centre’s August 5 announcement to scrap the special status of the erstwhile state under Article 370 and its bifurcation. The directions came after a review of the situation by the J&K Home department.