Fawaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: A 16-year-old girl was among three civilians killed and many others were injured in security forces' firing during clashes in a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Hawoora area of Khudwani in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday afternoon.

Sources said acting on specific information, army, SOG and CRPF men were laying siege around Hawoora village of Khudwani in Kulgam in the afternoon when they came under stone pelting from the locals.

The security men fired tear smoke shells, pellets and bullet to disperse the protestors. Many people sustained injuries in the security forces firing and were rushed to nearby hospital.

Three of the critically injured succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

The deceased were identified as 16-year-old girl Andleeb, 22-year-old Shakir Ahmad Khanday and 20-year-old Irshad Ahmad. All the three had sustained bullet injuries.

Some of the injured have been referred to Srinagar hospitals for specialized treatment.

After the killings, tension has gripped the area and people came out on roads to protest the civilian killings.

The authorities have rushed more troops to the area to maintain law and order and suspended internet mobile services in the district.