Three militants and two civilians were killed during the security forces operation in south Kashmir s Pulwama on Saturday morning. A soldier injured in the clash succumbed to his injuries, while another one has been admitted to a hospital.

An official said the three militants were trapped inside a residential area at Sirnoo s Kharpora in Pulwama when the security forces launched a pre-dawn operation.

 All the trapped militants are believed to be dead. The bodies have not been retrieved yet. The search in the area is on,  said a police official.

The army s 55 Rashtriya Rifles and the police s Special Operation Group and CRPF s 182/183 Battalion are jointly conducting the operation. The police suspect one of the slain militants could be the army man turned militant Zahoor Ahmad Thokar.

However, there is no official confirmation. Two civilians were also killed in security forces action against protesters who clashed with the security personnel. Preliminary reports suggest the two deceased civilians, Amir Ahmed Paul and Abid Hussain Lone, suffered  firearm injuries  and were declared dead in the hospital. 

Intense clashes have erupted in parts of Pulwama after the deaths. Over a dozen civilians were injured in the protests. The police have not divulged details about the identity of the militants or the civilians killed during the operation so far. The authorities have stopped internet service in Pulwama as a precautionary measure. Train service has alsi been suspended.