Two civilians were killed and at least 35 others injured near site of encounter between government forces and militants at Khudwani area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday. A doctor at Qoimoh hospital said that a 16-year-old civilian Bilal Ahmad Tantray of Qoimoh was brought dead. He had bullet injuries on the right side of his chect, the doctor said.
He said the hospital received 35 injured persons having bullet, pellet and injures due to teargas shells. Earlier, a civilian, Sharjeel Ahmad Sheikh son of Abdul Hameed of Khudwani, was killed near the encounter site. A police officer said that Sarjeel was killed in “cross firing” while investigations are underway to ascertained how Bilal died. “We are ascertaining how Bilal was killed. Whether he also died in cross firing is being ascertained,” the officer said. An army soldier was killed and two others injured during the encounter at Wani Mohall area of Khudwani. The encounter started between militants and government forces started late last night in Khudwani. Official sources told news agency GNS that a joint team of army’s 1 R, SOG and CRPF laid a siege at Wani Mohalla area of Khudwani at around 11:30 pm. A police official told that the joint team of forces launched a cordon in the area following inputs about the presence of some militants.
As the joint party approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire triggering off a gunfight. Three army personnel suffered injuries and were removed to army hospital at Badamibagh wehere one of the succumbed to injuries. Schools and colleges were closed and internet suspended