SRINAGAR, April 12: Indian troops killed five militants in gunbattles and a civilian mistaken for a militant in occupied Kashmir, the army said on Wednesday.

The civilian died late on Tuesday when the army opened fire in Kupwara when three men were “challenged by an ambush party but instead of stopping started running away,” army spokesman Vijay Batra said.

The killing sparked protests in the village of Dewar, residents said.

The army also killed a militant in Kupwara during a gunbattle on Tuesday, Mr Batra said.

Indian troops killed four more militants in three other gunfights in Anantnag and Doda districts late on Tuesday. Two soldiers were also wounded.—AFP