Srinagar: The non-local labourer who was injured critically in a shootout between militants and the government forces in Hajidarpora village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday morning, has succumbed to injuries.

SSP Pulwama Chandan Koli confirmed to The Kashmir Press that the non-local Arjun Kumar succumbed to injuries at SKIMS, Soura this afternoon.

Kumar (17), a resident of Baraily, Pilibhit in Utter Pradesh (UP), was working as a labourer at a brick kiln in the district, he said.

Earlier, the militants attacked the army’s 55 RR patrolling party in Hajidarpora village in Lassipora area of the district.

The fire was retaliated by the army, triggering a brief encounter. “In the exchange of fire the labourer had suffered serious bullet injuries in head.”

Following the attack, the government forces along with the additional reinforcements of army, SOG and CRPF has launched searches in the area to nab the attackers.