Widespread violent clashes and security forces’ firing have allegedly left five civilians dead and over 20 injured on Sunday in parts of Shopian district, where five local militants were killed earlier in the day.

Five civilians, identified by the locals as Zubair Ahmad, Nissar Ahmed Kumar, Adil Ahmed Sheikh, Sajad Ahmad Rather and Asif Ahmad, were declared dead in different hospitals in Shopian and Srinagar. “All had suffered firearm injuries,” said the hospital sources.

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The police have confirmed only one death so far. The civilians death comes amid raging protests and clashes between the security forces and locals since Sunday morning.

Earlier, five militants were killed in an operation conducted by the security forces in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday morning, according to the police.

“The encounter has concluded at Badigam-Zainpora in Shopian. Five bodies of terrorists recovered,” said Director-General of Police S.P. Vaid.

One policeman and an Army jawan were also injured in the gunfight.