LeT militant killed in gunbattle; youth in police firing

A Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was killed in an overnight gunbattle with security forces while a civilian died in the firing by law enforcing agencies on local youths, protesting violently after the encounter, in Pulwama district of south Kashmir today.
LeT militant Shariq Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Awantipora area in the district, was killed in encounter with security forces in Naina Batapora village of Pulwama, an army official said.
The official had earlier said that two militants were killed in the gunbattle but only one body was recovered from debris of the house where Bhat was hiding since yesterday.
One AK assault rifle and some ammunition has been recovered from the scene of the gunbattle which began last night following information about the presence of militants in the area, the official said.

"As the security forces were searching the debris, local youths indulged in stone-pelting and set ablaze a police vehicle," a police official said.
He said the security forces opened fire following which one youth died and five others were injured.

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Meanwhile, a police officer was also injured in the clashes in Pulwama which ensued after the gunbattle.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Nazir Ahmad sustained fracture in his leg and was rushed to Bone and Joint Hospital Barzullah for treatment, the police official said.