A house on Blaze as firefighters try to douse fire as a house is ablaze in Drubgam village of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday. Fifteen civilians and two soldiers were also injured.Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi 30-04-2018 A house on Blaze as firefighters try to douse fire as a house is ablaze in Drubgam village of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday. Fifteen civilians and two soldiers were also injured.Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi 30-04-2018

A top Hizbul commander, Sameer Ahmed Bhat, and his associate Aquib were killed on Monday in a gunfight with security forces while a civilian also lost his life during clashes in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Police sources said Sameer Tiger, who was on the list of most wanted militant commanders in south Kashmir, was killed in Drabgam village.

Security forces stand guard at a site of stone pelting in Drubgam village of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday.(Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi) Security forces stand guard at a site of stone pelting in Drubgam village of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday.(Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

A civilian was also killed when security forces tried to chase away a stone-pelting mob. Civilians wanted to throng the encounter site so that militants could run away, an official said.

Bhat, alias Sameer Tiger, is allegedly involved in the murders of several leaders and civilians in Pulwama area. Two security personnel also sustained bullet injuries in the shootout.

People mourn as they attend the funeral procession of slain civilian Shahid Ahmad at Arihal village in Pulwama district. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi) People mourn as they attend the funeral procession of slain civilian Shahid Ahmad at Arihal village in Pulwama district. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

Earlier, a cordon and search operation was launched in the Drabgam area of the district after security forces received intel that two or three militants might be hiding in the area, a police official told news agency PTI. Militants opened fire as soon as security personnel began closing in on their hideout, the police official added.

Mobile Internet facility has been suspended in south Kashmir as a precaution.

Security forces stand guard at a site of stone pelting in Drubgam village of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi) Security forces stand guard at a site of stone pelting in Drubgam village of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

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