J&K: Clashes after civilian killed in crossfire between army, terrorists?

Clashes broke out in Kashmir's Kupwara district on Sunday after a civilian was killed in an exchange of fire between army personnel and terrorists the day before.

The Army said a man, Asif Iqbal Bhat, was killed in an exchange of fire between army soldiers and terrorists after the army received specific information about the presence of terrorists in Thindpura village and laid an ambush.

"Based on information about the presence of terrorists in Thindpura village, Army laid ambushes in the area on the night December 16-17. Around 2255 hours, an ambush party noticed the suspicious movement of three people near a nullah in the village. They were challenged by troops. The terrorists opened fire on the Army ambush party. The troops retaliated. In the crossfire, one person, Asif Iqbal Bhat, was killed due to a gunshot wound," Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said.

"An investigation is underway," he added.

Asif Iqbal Bhat, a driver by profession and a resident of Thandipora, was injured in a firing incident in the Thandipora area of Kupwara last night, police said.

An FIR was registered at the Kralpora police station in connection with the incident and an investigation is underway, a police spokesperson said.

The driver was taken to the Kralpora sub-district hospital, and then referred to a hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to injuries, police added.

People in the area want a case of murder to be registered against the army, media reports said.

(With inputs from news agency)