Youth, two militants killed, over 50 civilians injured in Shopian

Srinagar: An 18-year-old youth was killed and over 50 others suffered injuries during intense clashes between government forces and protesters near encounter site at Kundalan village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday.

Two militants were killed during the encounter in the initial phases while as two soldiers including an officer suffered injuries.

Reports reaching GNS said that Tamsheel Ahmad Khan (18) son of Khursheed Ahmad Khan of Vehil, Kachdora sustained a critical bullet wound in his head in forces action during the clashes in Kundalan.

Khan was shifted to District Hospital Shopian where from he along with seven other persons having bullet injuries were referred to different hospitals in Srinagar.

Khan was taken to SMHS hospital here where doctors declared him dead on arrival, they said.

A senior doctor at SMHS hospital also confirmed the death of the youth. He said that the youth had received serious firearm injury.

Over 50 protesters, seven of them with bullets and others with pellets and tear gas shelling were injured during clashes near the encounter site.

Earlier, police have claimed to have killed two militants during the gunfight in the area.

The gunfight started after the joint team of Army, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area. (GNS)