SRINAGAR: A Jammu and Kashmir Police Spokesman on Sunday night said that seven civilians were killed in a blast at the site of a gunfight in south Kashmir district of Kulgam, before cleaning of the site.
A Police Spokesman said that despite warning, the civilians had gathered near the encounter site, where an explosion took place, resulting in civilian casualties.
Chinar Corps conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of civilians, who died in post operations blast at the encounter site in Kulgam.
Police spokesman said in Kulgam encounter three militants of JeM outfit were killed in an encounter.
He said in the aftermath of the encounter when a large congregation entered the encounter site before it was cleared led to an explosion in which six people died, he said.
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He said the slain militants were identified as Shahid Ahmad Tantary, resident of Wangam Shopian, Zubair Ahmad Lone, resident of Ahwatoo, Kulgam and Yazil Ahmad Makroo, resident of Arwani Bijbehara.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from the spot.
He said after the conclusion of the encounter as the forces moved out, the locals from the area started assembling at the site of encounter and had apparently fiddled with some stray explosive materials leading to an explosion.
The injured identified as Ubaid Shah, Tajamul, Irshad Ahmad Padder, Uzair Ahmad & Masroor Ahmad, unfortunately, succumbed when brought to hospitals.
He said five other injured are undergoing treatment.
The spokesman said it is pertinent to mention that this incident occurred post-encounter.