SHOPIAN: A terrorist and four others were killed as security forces said they responded to an attack on a mobile vehicle checkpost in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Sunday evening. While security forces say that the three killed, who they say were travelling in a car with the terrorist, were his associates, locals allege that they were civilians killed in army firing. The body of the fourth person, a student, was found in another vehicle this morning.

The police have imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar today to prevent separatist-called protests. Internet and rail services have been suspended across south Kashmir. Businesses and markets to stay shut in Srinagar.

Security forces said the attack took place around 8 pm. The check post manned by army personnel was fired upon after they signalled a car to stop, a security official told news agency PTI.

The terrorist killed was identified as Shahid Ahmad Dar, a resident of Shopian, and a weapon was found with him.

“The three OGWs/accomplices in the car who were accompanying the terrorist were found to be dead. Police has reached the spot and started legal formalities,” a statement from the army said. OGWs refer to Over-Ground Workers or associates in counter-terrorism parlance.

But local residents alleged that this was the second time this year that civilians have been killed in army firing and the incident could spark unrest.

In January this year, protests erupted in Kashmir when three people were killed in firing by the army which said it was retaliating to a violent demonstration by a stone-throwing mob.

A political row followed when the police filed a First Information Report or FIR against the army and named the officer who was leading the convoy that had come under attack. The FIR was stayed by the Supreme Court last month following an appeal by the officer’s father.

The police have not filed an FIR in the Sunday’s incident so far and said they are trying to confirm the identities of those killed.