On Wednesday morning, as the forces were zeroing in on the target, they came under a barrage of fire from the hiding terrorists.
The operation to flush out holed up terrorists from a built-up area in Khudwani area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district went horribly wrong on Wednesday when all the three ultras escaped, while four civilians and a soldier were killed. Later in the day, in a separate incident, another jawan was killed in firing in Pakistan firing along the LoC.
The operation was launched on Tuesday night after security forces received a tip-off about the presence of two to three militants in Wani Mohallah. On Wednesday morning, as the forces were zeroing in on the target, they came under a barrage of fire from the hiding terrorists.
In the ensuing battle, three army jawans were injured and 24-year-old Sapper Sada Gunakara Rao succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The gun-battle continued through the day, but no body of the terrorists could be found under the debris. "They have escaped," said a senior officer overseeing the operation. "We've searched twice but could not locate any bodies.
Earlier, clashes erupted in Khudwani area with hundreds of people trying to march towards the encounter site to help terrorists escape. Security forces lobbed smoke shells and opened fire to quell the mob. Four civilians were killed and scores others were injured in the incident.
"The three civilians have been identified as Sarjeel Sheikh of Khudwani, Bilal Ahmad Tantray of Frisal and Faisal Ilahi of Melhoora Shopian. They were injured in the cross-fire and succumbed to their injuries. Twelve persons were injured and are being treated at different hospitals. They are stable," a police spokesman said.
Director General of Police Dr Shesh Paul Vaid said two of the civilians were killed in the cross-fire and third one was an Over Ground Worker (OGW) with the terrorists.
Soon after the news of civilian killings spread, protests broke out in different parts of the Valley, including at National Institute of Engineering. Incidents of stone-pelting were also reported. Station House officer of Baramulla Khalid Ahmad was seriously injured and had to be rushed to a hospital when a stone hit his head.
In response, authorities snapped mobile internet in south Kashmir and reduced the speed in Srinagar to clamp down on rumour mongering.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was quick to denounce the civilian killings. "Civilian killings in Kulgam are unfortunate and the party strongly condemns. High time that forces adhere to the standard operating procedure as any such act leading to civilian killings derails the peace process & the efforts of a democratically elected government," tweeted Rafi Ahmad Mir, PDP's chief spokesman.
Former chief minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah sought answers from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. "It was for the Chief Minister and her conscience to answer for her government's continued supervision of bloodshed and oppression in Kashmir," he said.
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