Srinagar: Four youth were injured, one of them critically, in clashes with the government forces near the gunfight site in Turkawangam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.

Reports said that youth took to streets and clashed with the forces to disrupt the anti-militant operation.

Four youth were injured after forces fired live ammunition, pellets and teargas at the protesters near the gunfight site, reports said.

The injured were shifted to district hospital Shopian for treatment.

“Three among the injured have suffered bullet injuries. One of them, identified as Inayat Ahmad Malla of Maldera, has suffered serious injuries. He was referred to A hospital in Srinagar in a critical condition,” a local daily reported.

He said that two more injured – identified as Javed Ahmad of Maldera and Vikar Ahmad of Shopian – were referred to district hospital Anantnag for specialised treatment.

Earlier, an official said a joint team of army and Special Operations Group (SOG) cordoned off Turkiwangam village after inputs about the presence of some militants in the area.

The hiding militants, believed to be three in number, opened fire on the approaching forces’ personnel, triggering a gunfight.

Police Version:

In ongoing encounter at Turkwangam Shopian, one civilian namely Inayat sustained bullet injury and is being treated at a hospital in Srinagar.

The law and order situation is currently under control at the encounter site. General public is requested to stay away from encounter site and not to pay heed to rumours.