Srinagar, Mar 04 (KNS): Three civilians and a militant were killed in a brief encounter in Pahnoo area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday evening.
Sources said a car-borne militant opened fire on Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) of army near Pohan , Shopian between 7:30 pm to 8 pm.
They said the army men returned the fire and in the brief gunfight, a militant and three civilians were killed.
The deceased militant was identified as Shahid Ahmad Dar S/o Mushtaq Ahmad Dar R/o Jamnagri, Shopian.
The deceased civilians were identified as Suhail Khalil wagay R/o Pinjoora, Mohammad Shahid Khan R/o Malikgund and Shahnawaz Ahmad Wagay R/o Langandora, Trenz.
However, army termed the deceased civilians as Over Ground Workers (OGWs).
Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia while giving details about the incident, said a joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) of army's 44 Rashtria Rifles was fired upon near Pohan , Shopian at around 8 pm by militant from a vehicle.
He said in the retaliatory firing, a militant identified as Shahid Ahmad Dar S/o Mushtaq Ahmad Dar R/o Jamnagri, Shopian was killed.
“An AK-47 rifle was recovered from his possession,” the spokesman said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Kalia said three Over Ground Workers (OGWs/ accomplices ) in the car, who were accompanying the militant were found dead.
He said police has reached the spot and started legal formalities.
A police official said that a police team reached the spot after the incident.
He said the policemen have taken the bodies of all the four including the militant.
“The weapon of the militant has been recovered,” he said.
The official said three other deceased were unarmed and were not carrying any weapon.
“No incriminating material has been recovered from their possession,” he added.
As a precautionary measure, authorities snapped internet services in the Shopian district.
The protests, meanwhile, spread to Srinagar also and students in Kashmir University staged massive protests during the night against the civilian killings in Shopian.
The protestors chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans were demanding an end to civilian killings in Kashmir. They also demanded action against the force personnel involved in civilian killings. (KNS)