Three militants killed in J&K gunfight, youth also dies

Srinagar, June 29 (IANS) Three militants were killed in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday, while a youth also died in clashes as protesters pelted the security forces with stones while the operation was underway, police said.

Three local militants were killed in the gunfight with security forces in Thamuna village of Pulwama, said a police officer.

A 15-year-old, identified as Faizan Ahmad Khan, who had sustained a bullet injury during clashes between protesters and the security forces succumbed to his injuries in hospital, hospital sources said.

Eight other civilians were also injured during the clashes, and one of them who also sustained a gunshot injury has been brought to the bone and joint hospital here for treatment.

Security forces had surrounded Thamuna village following intelligence inputs about the presence of a group of militants there, and as the cordon was tightened, the hiding militants opened fired, sparking the gunfight.

As a precautionary measure, authorities suspended mobile Internet services in Pulwama to check spread of rumours.