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Two civilians were killed in a shootout at Arpal village in Tral quarter of southern Pulwama district on Saturday. The residents, who held massive protest demonstrations over the killings, blamed army for gunning down the two civilians in indiscriminate firing. The defence spokesperson however said that the killings were caused by the firing from terrorists.
 
Spokesperson Lt Col AK Mathur told the Hindustan Times that the troops of 50-RR, on specific information, laid a siege around the village. He said that the militants hiding inside fired indiscriminately, which caused death to two civilians. The slain persons were identified as Jahangir Ahmad and Ghulam Mohamnmad Mir, both government employees.
 
The residents dismissed the army's claim and alleged that a patrol party of the RR fired upon the civilians and killed them. They held massive protest demonstrations against the army. The protests later spread to other nearby localities.

Meanwhile a firefight has begun between terrorists and troops of 42-RR at Naibugh village in the same area. Initial reports said that one terrorist has been killed and three soldiers were injured in the clash that was going on till late in the evening on Saturday.
 
Sources said that the terrorists have been holed up in two residential houses and the army has launched a major operation to flush them out. They said that three of four terrorists could be inside the village, who have taken shelter in two houses.