Srinagar: Government forces killed another youth during clashes near gunfight site at Kharpora in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Sources said that a youth identified as Abid Ahmad Lone, a resident of Kareemabad village succumbed at District Hospital Pulwama after he was hit by a bullet during clashes with government forces following a gunfight in Kharpora village.

Earlier another youth was killed after he was hit by bullets during clashes with government forces.

Sources said that the youth identified as Aamir Ahmad, a resident of Ashmandar village of the district was shifted to a local hospital from where doctors referred him to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital.” They said Aamir succumbed while he was on way to SMHS hospital.

Eyewitnesses said that government forces fired bullets indiscriminately to break up the protests which erupted soon after the gunfight ensued in the village.

“The intense use of force has left many civilians injured many with pellets and bullets,” eyewitnesses said.

The gunfight left three militants slain and two army personnel injured. While reports said that the three slain militants belonged to Hizb ul Mujahideen and included a top commander and another militant Zahoor Thoker who deserted army ranks and joined militancy, however, there was no official confirmation regarding the identity of the slain.