At least three suspected militants were killed by Indian security forces in a fierce gun battle in Indian-held Kashmir, defence officials said Saturday. Two of the suspected freedom fighters were later identified by the police as youths from neighbouring areas, leading to spontaneous protests in which three civilians and a policeman were injured.
The police, army and Central Reserve Police Force launched a search early Saturday after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in Jamia Mohalla in Amargarh area of Sopore district, local police chief Harmeet Singh said. "The militants opened fire from where they were hiding on the joint search party, triggering an encounter which ended at dawn," Singh said.
Three militants, suspected to belong Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed, Singh added. Three AK-74 rifles and magazines were recovered from the site. The police later identified two as Javaid Ahmad Dar, a resident of Baramullah district, and Abid Hamid Mir from Bandipora. Violent protests broke out in Bandipora soon after Mir's name was revealed, police sources said. Three civilians and a policeman was injured in clashes as police tried to disperse protesters.
The civilians had suffered bullet injuries, the IANS news agency reported. The police did not confirm the nature of the injuries. Educational institutions in Sopore, Bandipora and Baramullah district have been closed. Mobile phone and internet services were also stopped in some areas.
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