— PHOTO: Nissar Ahmad

IN UTTER GRIEF: Relatives of the two killed in a shootout on Monday at Kakpora, south of Srinagar, in anguish.

SRINAGAR: Thousands of protesters on Monday staged demonstrations at Kakpora in south Kashmir after two civilians were killed in a shootout on Sunday night. Meanwhile, two engineers working with the Baramulla-Qazigund railway project escaped unhurt in a militant attack but a guard was killed.

Reports reaching here said Shakoor Ahmad and Farooq Ahmad were killed at Mohanviji near Kakpora in Pulwama district when assailants opened fire at a private car in which some policemen were travelling.

Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Meraj Ahmad Kakroo told The Hindu that a police party went to the area in a car to investigate a routine case and on the way back, it came under militant attack. In the firing, the two civilians were killed and a policeman and the car driver injured.

However, people took to the streets blaming the police for the incident. Residents said the policemen fired indiscriminately in retaliation after the attack.

Later Mr. Kakroo, along with SSP, Pulwama, Nitish Kumar, pacified the protesters and ordered an inquiry by the Assistant Commissioner of Pulwama. "There is no doubt that the civilians were killed in militant firing but I assured the people that detailed investigation will be conducted," he said.

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