A suspected militant was killed in an encounter between militants and government forces in Pulwama district on Friday. People resorted to violent protests during which the forces reportedly opened fire at two places including in Pulwama town to disperse the protesting people, resulting in injuries to six civilians. A suspected militant, whose identity has not been confirmed so far, was killed in an encounter which started early Friday, a police spokesman said, adding that the army had to fire a few shots in air at Pulwama town fearing stone pelting from the protesters. A policeman was also injured in the encounter with militants which is currently going on at Chandgam village in Pulwama. Eyewitnesses stated that people in Chandgam village started marching towards the encounter site shouting anti-India slogans. They added that police and army dispersed the mob. In the meantime, as the cop who was injured in the encounter was being shifted to a hospital, the people who had gathered at Pulwama chowk started shouting anti-India slogans. “The protesters suspected that the army was carrying the body of the slain militant and they started shouting slogans.
The Army opened fire, resulting severe damage to a Sumo vehicle,” an eyewitness stated. He added that at least six people were injured in forces’ action in Pulwama. Police spokesman, however, denied the reports and said that army fired a few shots in air which caused no damage. The situation in the town is tense and a large number of police and CRPF personnel have been deployed. “On a tip off Srinagar Police, Pulwama Police alongwith 55 RR and 182 Bn. CRPF launched an operation in village Bubgam, Asthan Mohalla, Pulwama, in the jurisdiction of police station Pulwama. Militants fired upon the joint search party triggering an encounter in which a militant was killed so far,” a police statement said.