A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in a village in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday even as protests erupted in the area.
Officials said a joint team of police, CRPF and army cordoned off Begumbagh area of Kakapora in the afternoon after receiving reports about the presence of militants there.
Media reports suggested at least three armed militants were holed up in the area. Till reports last came in, security forces were sweeping the area.
Rayees Mohammad, Pulawma superintendent of police, said they cornered a militant in a house.
“The militant was killed just outside the house in a brief encounter. He seems to be a local. We are ascertaining his identity,” Mohammad said.
Residents pelted stones at security forces after news spread that the militant was a local resident.
On November 9, two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Rafiabad in northern Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Kashmir has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. His death sparked violent protests in the Valley that killed many and wounded hundreds.