Civilians, policeman injured in Anantnag encounter

Several civilians and a policeman were injured as an encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir this morning, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Srigufwara area of the district in south Kashmir after receiving specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into a gunfight after militants fired upon the forces, who retaliated.

The gunfight was going on when last reports came in, the official said.

He said clashes broke out near the encounter site as a group of youth started pelting stones on the forces who are engaged in the operation.

Security forces used force on protestors and several civilians and a policeman have suffered injuries, the official said.

Further details were awaited.