Soldier, two civilians killed in J&K gunfight

An Indian Army soldier and two civilians were killed on Wednesday during a gunfight between the security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir that started late last night.

Hospital sources said a second injured civilian, identified as Bilal Ahmad Dar, 17, was brought to the hospital after sustaining bullet injuries at the gunfight site in Kulgam district.

The teenager was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctors.

Earlier, another civilian, Sharjeel Sheikh, 28, was killed when clashes erupted at Wani Mohalla in Khudwani between protesters and the security forces.

Police said a soldier was killed and two other security men were also injured earlier on Wednesday when militants holed up inside a home started firing at the security personnel closing in on them.

Protesters pelting stones at the security forces even as two-to-three LeT militants reportedly remained holed up inside the house.

Authorities have ordered closure of all schools and colleges in Kulgam and Internet services have been suspended in South Kashmir areas.

Clashes also erupted between students and the security personnel in north Kashmir's Sopore town immediately after the news about the deaths of civilians in the Kulgam gunfight spread across the town.

--IANS

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