Srinagar: At least two persons were killed in an exchange of fire allegedly between the militants and the army men in Dugam, Kakpora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

According to the witnesses, the first incident of intense exchange of firing between the soldiers and militants took place at around 9:55 p.m which continued for five minutes.

It was not clear whether the militants mounted an attack on a local army base in the area or it was a chance encounter.

The police said during the exchange of gunfire between the two sides, a civilian and soldier were injured.

They said the injured soldier was removed to Badami Bagh base army hospital where he succumbed.

The locals claimed the injured civilian had received bullets in his head and he died before he could reach the hospital.

The dead civilian was identified as Bilal  Ahmad Ganaie a resident of naraw, lajoora of Pulwama area. He was a sumo taxi driver.

“In a cowardly and provocative act of terror, terrorists carried out a standoff attack on Kakapora army camp. One soldier martyred,” said army in a statement.

Meanwhile the relatives of slain Bilal said that he and his brother Mehraj had gone to daugom village to survey a poultry farm.

“Mehraj is still missing,” they said, adding, slain Bilal’s body was lying at Pulwama hospital and the family had left home to receive it.