Clashes in J&K 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.