Shopian gunfight: Militant, civilian killed; Ops on

Shopian: A militant was killed in an encounter while as a civilian was also killed after sustaining serious bullet wound during violent clashes at Pinjura area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday after protestors tried to disrupt the anti-militancy operation launched by the joint teams of police.
The official sources identified the slain civilian as Sajad Ahmed Parray, a resident of Badarhama, Shopian, who was part of protesting group at the encounter site.
When contacted, Medical Superintendent District Hospital Shopian G M Bhat confirmed that they received Sajad in a critical condition. However, official sources at the hospital confirmed that Sajad succumbed to his injuries later. A police official confirmed the killing of a militant in the on-going gunfight. “The body has been retrieved and further searches are on,” he said.
Earlier, a gunfight had started between government forces and militants in Pinjura area of Shopian district. An official said that on specific inputs about the presence of militants in the area, joint team of forces including 44 RR launched search operation in the area.
On intensifying search operation towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon forces triggered encounter, he said. Meanwhile, intense clashes were going on at the encounter spot in which dozens of youth sustained injuries.