2 militants gunned down in Pulwama, youth dies in clashes with security forces at encounter site

Two militants were today gunned down in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir and a youth died in clashes between stone-pelters and security personnel near the encounter site, a police official said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Thumna village after getting information about the presence of militants there, the official said.

Three militants were holed up inside a house. The security personnel managed to pinpoint the location of the militants but the operation had to be delayed due to the presence of civilians in the house, he said.

A gunfight broke out between the security forces and the militants after all the civilians were evacuated. Two of the three militants were killed, the official said.

Meanwhile, a mob started hurling stones at the security forces engaged in the anti-militancy operation.

At least five people received pellet or bullet injuries in the security forces action against the protestors, the police official said.

He said one of the injured, 16-year-old Faizaan Ahmad Khan, was declared dead by doctors at a hospital.