SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Two militants and a civilian were killed in a fierce gunfight and subsequent protests in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.
The gunfight broke out on Thursday morning at Padgampora village of Pulwama district, about 29 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Two militants were killed today in the gunfight with joint contingents of army and police here," a senior police official in Pulwama told Xinhua, adding the gunfight lasted for around six hours.
According to police, government forces have not suffered any damage in the standoff.
However, a 15-year-old boy, civilian of neighboring Beegumbagh Kakapora village, was killed during protests that the locals launched to help the militants break the cordon and escape.
Police fired dozens of tear smoke shells and warning shots to chase protesters who hit the roads and clashed with government forces.
The protesters, mostly young, threw stones and brickbats at government forces, shouting anti-India slogans.
Locals said Nazir was hit by a bullet fired by government forces to disperse protesters.
Police officials said the local residents defied the order to stay indoors and tried to target government forces with stone pelting.
Separatist movements and guerrilla wars challenging New Delhi's rule have gripped Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
Gunfight between militants and Indian troops takes place intermittently across the region.
