Srinagar:
A civilian was killed during an exchange of fire between militants and security forces, sparking massive protests which left 10 people including three policemen injured in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Sunday.
Mushtaq Ahmad Mir was injured in cross-fire at Kalampora, 42 kms from Srinagar, on Saturday evening and succumbed to his wounds on Sunday morning, official sources said.
The gunfight took place when security forces cordoned the house of headman of village Kalampora-Rajpora following specific information about presence of two militants there, the sources said.
However, the militants escaped while firing on the security forces, they said.
Local residents alleged that Mushtaq, the son of the headman, was used by security forces as a 'human shield' which led to his killing, the sources said.
The locals took to streets in the morning and clashed with police and paramilitary personnel in the village.
Raising slogans, they threw stones at the policemen who retaliated with batons and tear smoke shells. The clashes left the area station house officer, two policemen and seven protestors injured, the sources said.
The trouble spread in adjoining areas prompting authorities to deploy additional police and paramilitary forces in Pulwama district headquarters.