SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A civilian was killed Tuesday near a gunfight site where government forces killed a top militant commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and his associate, police said.
"A person identified as Firduos Ahmad Bhat, resident of Begumbagh, Kakapora was also injured near the gunfight site during the cross firing. He was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries," a police spokesman said.
The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out at village Harkipora of Pulwama district, about 27 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
According to police, chief operating commander of LeT Abu Dujana and his associate were killed in the fierce gunfight.
Police has described the killing of Dujana as a "major achievement."
Indian troops or police have not suffered any damage in the two-hour-long standoff, officials said.
Dujana, according to police, was among the most wanted militants active in the restive region for quite some time. Police said he was involved in many attacks on army and police.
Reports said enraged residents tried to break the cordon during gunfight in a bid to help militants escape. However government forces chased them out using tear smoke shells, warning shots and shotgun pellets, killing one civilian and wounding scores of others.
The killings of militants and a civilian further intensified the anti-India protests and clashes.
"At some places miscreants tried to create disturbances by pelting stones in Pulwama and adjoining areas. While dealing with the situation, 10 persons have got injured who are till now stable and undergoing treatment at various hospitals," the police spokesman said.
The Muslim majority areas of the region witnessed a spontaneous shutdown soon after news of civilian and militant killings spread.
Militant funerals usually witness a huge local participation in the region. People attend the procession shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between militants and Indian troops take place intermittently across the region.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
