Dialgam Encounter: 17 evacuated as civilian death toll rises

Srinagar: In the ongoing Dialgam encounter in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, 17 civilians, who were present in the house where militants are holed up, were evacuated. However, the civilian death toll has risen to two as one youth was brought dead to SKIMS after sustaining injury near the encounter site.

The deceased, aged 21, was identified as Shadab. He was a resident of Kulgam area.

However, it was not immediately known whether he was hit by a bullet or some shell.

Meanwhile, over a dozen civilians have been injured during clashes near the site of Dialgam encounter.

Sources said that five civilians were brought to District Hospital Islamabad for treatment. “Three had bullet injuries while two were hit by pellets.”

Reports said that at least a dozen civilians injured during the clashes were treated at PHC Brenthi in Dialgam.

Clashes erupted after people marched towards the gunfight site to help the trapped militants, believed to be three in number, to escape the cordon.

Earlier a woman, Tahira wife of Abdul Rashid Chopan of Brienty, Dialgam, was killed in the cross fire, police said.

A gunfight between militants and forces is raging in Dialgam area of Anantnag district.

Top Lashkar commander Bashir Lashkari is believed to be trapped in the encounter.

Lashkari, police sources said, is involved in the killing of six police personnel, including SHO Feroz Dar in an ambush in Achabal area of the district.

IGP Kashmir, Munir Khan said that all 17 civilian inmates have been evacuated. Only Bashir Lashkari & a Pakistani militant are now holed up.