Agencies / Srinagar
At least six civilians were killed on Sunday in an explosion at an encounter site in south Kashmir’s Kulgam shortly after a gunfight had left three militants dead.
The gunfight erupted at Laroo Kulgam when security forces launched a cordon and search operation following specific information about the presence of militants in the area.
“As the suspected houses were being cordoned, hiding militants opened fire around 4.15 am, triggering a gunfight. At least three militants were killed in the gunfight,” a police official said, adding the identity of the slain militants is being ascertained.
Police spokesperson Manoj Kumar said the civilians were killed by “stray explosives” after they rushed to the encounter site, despite a warning by security forces. Locals earlier arrived at the spot and began shouting slogans and throwing stones at the troops after they heard about the ongoing encounter, the police said.
The three militants were killed in a house after the gunfight broke out early on Sunday after security forces began a cordon-and-search operation following reports of the presence of militants in Laroo village. The police said once the firing stopped, local residents went too close to the encounter site before security forces could sanitise the area.
Kumar said civilians had been advised to stay away from the spot. “They didn’t listen and visited the spot immediately after the forces withdrew… Some explosive substance went off resulting in injuries to civilians,” the spokesperson said.
While Kulgam deputy commissioner Shamim Ahmad Wani said six civilians were killed and 30 injured, superintendent of police Harmeet Singh later confirmed the seventh death.