Srinagar: Twelve militants were killed in three separate gunfights in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Anantnag district on Sunday morning while as four army men sustained injuries during the operations, official sources told a local news agency.

In Shopian’s Dragad village, seven militants were killed in a gunfight early morning today, while as four militants were killed in Kachdoora village of same village.

However, the identity of the slain militants was not ascertained by the officials.

While Dragad gunfight has ended, Kachdoora encounter is going on.

In Dialgam village of Anantnag, a militant identified as Rouf Bashir Khanday was killed today morning while as his associate was arrested alive by the police.

Rouf, a resident of Dehruna village of Dooru Anantnag, had announced his joining Hizbul Mujahideen by posting a picture on social media in which he was wielding an AK-47 rifle. The photograph had his code name Umar Hayat and joining “active date” 4/02/2018. The picture also said that he was a graduate (B.A) who had memorised half of the Qur’an.

Four army soldiers have also received injuries in the operation and were shifted to military hospital for treatment.

Dozens of protesters were injured in clashes that ensued at both the Dragad and Kachdoora following the gunfights.

Some of the injured have been referred to Srinagar in critical conditions for specialized treatment.

The gunfight at both the places broke out late last night after a joint team of army’s 44 RR, 3 RR, 34 RR, SOG and CRPF have cordoned off both the places.