1 killed, 78 hurt in clashes at J-K encounter sites

Our Correspondent

Anantnag, May 29

A civilian was killed and 78 were injured in clashes with  security personnel today near encounter sites in the Pinjora area of Shopian district and Tazipora-Mohammadpora village of Kulgam district.

Sajad Ahmad Parray (34) was killed and at least 28 were injured in clashes in Pinjora. A bullet hit Parray in the neck.

At Tazipora-Mohammadpora village in Kulgam, at least 50 civilians were injured. Six persons with pellet injuries in their eyes were shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, Srinagar. Yawar Ahmad was critically injured after being hit by a bullet in the abdomen. He was operated upon at SMHS Hospital.

The forces launched a search operation at Tazipora-Mohammadpora village this morning. As word spread on  militants hiding in a house, people started gathering at the encounter site. They saved  two militants hiding in the rubble of a house, a video of  which went viral on the social media.

Kulgam Superintendent of Police (SP) Gurinder Singh, however, said the militants escaped just as the gunfight broke out and were not rescued by civilians. Asked why the security forces had blasted the house even after the escape of militants, he said the house was blown apart by explosives left behind by the militants.