KNZ NEWS DESK
Srinagar, Nov 04 : As two bodies were recovered near the encounter site at Khudpora area of Shopian and claimed to be that of militants, one of the slain has turned out to be a civilian.
Locals and official sources said that while body of a militant was recovered yesterday, the corpse of the civilian identified as Shahid Manzoor Mir.
Shahid is beleived to be the resident of the house in which the encounter took place.
The locals also censured police authorities for claiming the civilian to be militant and abjuring duty of protecting common man from any harm as part of SOP.
Earlier, the encounter ensued last night after a joint team of army and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation at Khudpora village.
During the course of gunfight one militant identified as Irfan Ahmad Bhat son of Ali Mohammad of Bandzoo Pulwama at present Nanihaal Gund Haadu, Memendar Shopian is claimed to have been killed by the government forces and have also claimed recovery of an AK-47 rifle. (GNS)